Kohli, Pujara steady ship after India lose openers
CAPE TOWN: India fought their way to 75 for two in overcast conditions after losing their openers early on day one of the third Test against South Africa here on Tuesday.
Virat Kohli, back to lead the side after missing the second Test, opted to bat on a pitch with decent amount of grass and clouds hovering over the spectacular Newlands ground.
The India skipper (15 batting) and Cheteshwar Pujara (26 batting) were out in the middle when lunch was taken. But soon after lunch, India lost both Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Pujara was caught behind for 43 off Marco Jansen. Rahane was caught behind off Kagiso Rabada for 9.
The South African pace combo of Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier made good use of the conditions in the first hour by removing Mayank Agarwal (15 off 35) and K L Rahul (12 off 35) respectively.
Rabada, playing his 50th Test, targeted the off stump channel consistently while Olivier was able to bring the ball back in sharply on a pitch with good bounce and carry.
The in-form Rahul, who has been brilliant at leaving the ball of late, poked at a rising delivery on the off stump and nicked it to the wicketkeeper.
Agarwal’s tendency to play the ball with hard hands led to his downfall as Rabada induced a thick edge off his bat with Aiden Markram doing the rest at second slip. Agarwal was dropped in the slips on 0 off Rabada in the third over of the innings. With India in a spot of bother 33 for two, Kohli and Pujara got together and steadied the ship.
Pujara, once again, showed intent and was quick to put away the loose balls. His innings comprised four boundaries including a pull shot off Olivier.
Kohli took 15 balls to get off the mark but it was worth the wait as he leaned into a beautiful cover drive off left-arm pacer Marco Jansen.
Both looked in control after getting in, which augurs well for the visitors in the second session.
Sundar tests positive
CHENNAI: India all-rounder Washington Sundar has tested positive for COVID-19 and is doubtful for the three-match ODI series against South Africa starting January 19.
The 22-year old Tamil Nadu player tested positive for the virus in Bengaluru and has not yet joined the other white-ball cricketers in Mumbai, who are scheduled to leave for South Africa in a day or two.
“Washington has tested positive for COVID-19 and is yet to join the other white ball specialists in Mumbai. He was in Bengaluru (at the National Cricket Academy) when he tested positive,” BCCI sources said. It is learnt that Washington will not be able to travel in the chartered flight along with the other selected players and it is not yet clear if he would be individually flown to South Africa by the BCCI at a later date.
The ODI series against South Africa begins in Paarl on January 19. The second ODI is scheduled at the same venue on January 21, following which the team will travel to Cape Town for the series-finale.
Washington, who has been out of action since the tour of England last year due to an injury, returned to domestic cricket and did well for his state team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where Tamil Nadu reached the final.