DAY 1: PLAYS OF THE DAY

SHOT: Virat Kohli showed his intent early on that he was settling in for the long haul. A sumptuous cover drive off Marco Jansen in the 19th over set the tone. BALL: Ajinkya Rahane is fighting for his future in the Indian team and simply cannot catch a break. He would have felt even more hard done by after receiving a superb delivery from Kagiso Rabada that touched the Newlands surface and moved away just enough to take the slightest of edges.

DRAMA: Proteas wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne was steadfast that he had caught Kohli down the leg-side. Umpire Adrian Holdstock did not agree. The Proteas sent the decision upstairs, where TV replays showed the ball hitting the thigh pad. There was, however, a slight indication that the ball might have brushed Kohli’s bat in the process, but Holdstock’s original decision was upheld. The entire Proteas team confronted Kohli in the middle, but the Indian captain did not take a backward step.

SPELL: Day one certainly revolved around two titans of the modern game in Rabada and Kohli. The duo enjoyed a battle royale in the 47th and 49th overs when Rabada was at full throttle, beating the outside edge on numerous occasions. Kohli survived, but Rabada had the last laugh when he eventually dismissed the Indian skipper in the 73rd over.

TABLE MOUNTAIN: Although there are no spectators allowed, the return of Test cricket to Newlands under Table Mountain was a joy to behold once again. This series decider is the first Test match played at the hallowed venue for over two years, since the 2020 New Year Test against England.