Kohli, who led the Indian innings as the lone batsman in Cape Town, was disappointed that his century did not end the drought. The player who was making good progress was penalized by Rabada’s ball.
India won the toss and elected to bat. Duane Olivier smashed Rahul (12) for just 31 in the first over to give India the lead. Shortly afterwards, Mayank Agarwal (12) was caught by Aidan Markrat on a Rabada slip and India were given a second blow.
Later, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara joined the crease to save India from collapse. Unusually, Kohli patiently swung the bat and anchored Pujara, who took charge of the score. But Pujara was out with an Indian score of 95. Pujara, who scored 43 off 77 balls, was handed a breakthrough by Marco Jansen in the hands of wicketkeeper Verienne. The pair put on 62 runs for the third wicket. But Ajinkya Rahane, who came after Pujara, could not make a significant contribution. Rabada, who scored just nine runs, returned with a wicket. With this, India fell to four wickets for 116 runs.
But with Rishabh replacing Rahane with Kohli at the crease, the Indian score soared again. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored his 28th half-century in Tests. After Kohli scored a half-century, it was seen that the ball could be sent off by playing another unwanted shot. Jansen Keegan, who scored 27, was handed the wicket by Keegan Peterson.
But Ashwin, who came later, could not hold on. Jansen, who scored just two runs, returned the favor. Shardul Thakur, who came later, started brilliantly but returned quickly. Keshav Maharaj, who scored 12 off 50 balls, was handed over to Peterson. Jaspreet Bumra (0) came back as if he had been caught by Dean Elgar off Rabada. Kohli continued to bat on the other side as the wicket fell at one end. India’s struggle came to an end when Kohli returned with a 79 – run stand to give Rabada a wicket. Mohammad Shami, who later scored seven, was dismissed by NGD India to put an end to the first innings.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada took four wickets and Marco Jansen three. Duan Olivier, Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj took one wicket each.
In reply, South Africa were 17 for one at stumps on the first day.
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