India on back foot on pace rs’ day out
Thirteen wickets fall on Day One as Bhuvneshwar claims 487 but South African bowlers hit back to leave India at 283
: India’s famed top order had their stuffing knocked out by hostile fast bowling from South Africa as the visitors conceded the momentum gained over two sessions in just 11 overs to end the first day of the Newlands Test at 28/3. With three wickets lost --- including that of Virat Kohli --- South Africa’s first innings score of 286 looks more than par for this pitch.
After asserting repeatedly they had their bases covered against bounce, India lost Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan to the rising ball. Deliveries that could have been left alone were poked at as South Africa rolled out all their four fast bowlers in short bursts that left India in a spot of bother.
It negated Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s four-wicket burst that helped India restrict South Africa to under 300 despite a lower-order fightback after fifties from South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers in a 114-run partnership. Till the time that partnership happened, India’s seamers were bossing around in conditions that were helpful.
Mohammed Shami, as per expectation, was economical but didn’t look in rhythm for a long time. R Ashwin was given just eight overs in which he took two wickets but it was Bhuvneshwar who delivered the most initial blows.
He struck twice in two overs, removing openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram. Elgar seemed surprised by one that moved away. Forced to play a shot, he managed a poke to Wriddhiman Saha.
Markram was done in by a Bhuvneshwar delivery that seamed in after pitching to hit his pad just outside off-stump. Hashim Amla then departed, trying to fish outside off-stump to an away-moving delivery.
De Villiers turned the momentum in South Africa’s favour, starting by taking apart Bhuvneshwar in a stunning counterattack. De Villiers helped Du Plessis get into the groove till debutant Jasprit Bumrah bowled him with one that jagged back.
Two balls after surviving a legbefore review to Hardik Pandya, Du Plessis only managed to get the toe end of his bat trying to cut, sparking over-the-top celebration from Kohli for which he was cautioned by the umpires.
Quinton de Kock carved seven boundaries in a 40-ball 43 but it was Keshav Maharaj who hurt India more by scoring 35. He should have been dismissed on 0 but for Dhawan’s butter fingers.
Dhawan had the chance to redeem himself after Murali Vijay chased a wide delivery from Vernon Philander. He caressed a boundary through covers but couldn’t resist the temptation of trying to pull a climbing Dale Steyn delivery. Out came Kohli but he only managed a poke at a short delivery from Morkel.