South Africa fought again with a few wickets within the afternoon session by way of Lungi Ngidi however India nonetheless managed the proceedings by reaching 157 for 2 at tea on day one of many first Take a look at.
India scored 74 runs within the second session whereas Ngidi eliminated Mayank Agarwal (60 off 123) and Cheteshwar Pujara (0) off successive balls to supply the hosts much-needed breakthroughs. KL Rahul grew in confidence and was batting on 68 off 166 balls on the break alongside skipper Virat Kohli (19 batting off 54). After struggling to hit the fuller lengths within the morning, South African pacers bowled with extra consistency and attacked the stumps.
Agarwal, who obtained to his half century after lunch, was dismissed towards the run of play. The ball appeared to bounce over the wicket aside from lacking the leg stump however the on-field choice was reversed when DRS revealed that it was hitting the wickets, leaving Agarwal in disbelief. His fall additionally ended a memorable 117-run partnership, making Rahul and Agarwal solely the third Indian opening pair to sew a century stand in 21 video games in South Africa.
With solar popping out, Pujara walked in and was dismissed first ball, inside edging a defensive shot to Keegan Petersen at quick leg. Quickly after, Rahul introduced up his fifty with a pleasant cowl drive off Ngidi. Kohli, who has not scored 100 in additional than two years, started with an unconvincing drive off Marco Jansen earlier than clipping spinner Keshav Maharaj extensive of mid-on for his second boundary.
Rahul survived a detailed LBW name off medium pacer Wiaan Mulder late into the session earlier than flicking a half-volley in his following over for his eleventh boundary. Within the morning session, Agarwal and Rahul performed with the required self-discipline in testing circumstances to take India to 83 for no loss. Kohli made a courageous name to bat first on a greenish floor which is predicted to get faster as the sport progresses.
Each Rahul and Agarwal, who’re shut mates and play for a similar home group, left the ball properly towards a tempo assault which didn’t bowl properly sufficient in beneficial circumstances. Agarwal carried his good from the house collection towards New Zealand to SuperSport Park whereas Rahul caught to the strategy that introduced him a number of success in England earlier this yr when he opened the batting alongside the now injured Rohit Sharma. Rahul was extra watchful to start out with, exhibiting absolute readability in leaving the ball whereas Agarwal was fast to money in on freebies supplied by the opposition pacers. Agarwal drove Ngidi by way of level for the primary 4 of the innings.
Rahul, who took 21 balls to get off the mark, performed an beautiful straight drive off Kagiso Rabada to get going. Debutant left-arm pacer Jansen made a nervy begin to his profession with Agarwal dispatching him for 3 fours in his opening over. The 6 toes 8 inch bowler`s first ball in Take a look at cricket was a mild full toss which Agarwal duly dispatched by way of cowl level.
Then the lanky pacer bowled a pair into the pads which have been crisply flicked away. The South African pacers bowled a tad too quick within the first hour of play. The Dean Elgar-led facet additionally wasted a assessment early within the session. The one likelihood that got here South Africa`s means went begging with a diving Quinton de Kock dropping Agarwal off Jansen. He was batting on 36 at the moment.
South Africa determined to depart out in-form pacer Duanne Oliver from the taking part in eleven whereas India picked the struggling Ajinkya Rahane forward of Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer.
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