Cape Town : India reached 141/4 at tea on the opening day of the third and series-deciding Test against South Africa here at Newlands on Tuesday.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli did exceedingly well before heading into lunch break. After resumption, the duo capitalised on their hard work and displayed intent with some superb shots.
However, Marco Jansen got the much-needed breakthrough and ended the 62-run partnership for the third wicket. The fast bowler dismissed Pujara as the right-hander got caught behind for 43.
Kohli kept on anchoring the innings, taking on Kagiso Rabada. On a short ball, the India captain played an uncontrolled pull shot which went for a maximum.
Soon, Rabada got rid of Ajinkya Rahane (9). The batter was given out caught behind but he went for a review after consultation with his captain. The ultra edge showed a clear spike and the review was turned down.
While Kohli was set, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant was settling in. On the third ball of the 52nd over, Duanne Olivier appealed for Kohli’s, who was on 39, dismissal and convinced his captain Dean Elgar to go for a review. The ultra edge showed a flat line and a gap between the bat and ball.
While South Africa lost their review, Kohli (40 not out) and Pant (12 not out) saw off the second session.
Earlier, Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. As India are aiming to win their first away Test series against South Africa, the visitors lost openers before reaching 75/2 at lunch.
Rabada, who is playing his 50th Test, took the new ball for South Africa, with India openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal in the middle. Rahul opened India’s account as he pushed the ball down the ground in the first over.
Soon, Mayank, who was on zero, got a life when Keegan Petersen dropped him at the third slip off Rabada. Mayank took the charge and picked up a boundary and then gently pushed the ball down the ground for his second boundary. Rahul and Mayank made the most of the first hour, leaving the bad ones.
In the 12th over, India suffered a major blow as Duanne Olivier struck for South Africa and dismissed Rahul for 12. The India opener got a thin nick and wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne completed an easy catch.
In the next over, Rabada ensured Mayank follows Rahul back to the pavillion. Mayank got an edge and Aiden Markram caught him at second slip for 15.
Mayank’s dismissal brought in captain Kohli, who missed the second match due to an upper back spasm. Rabada welcomed Kohli with a short ball to which the Indian captain ducked.
India reached the 50-run mark in 22 overs, with Pujara and Kohli in the middle. The duo picked easy runs and entered double figures safely. Kohli displayed his cover drive off Rabada and added two runs after driving the ball through mid-wicket region.
