Kohli's Control, Kagiso's Class

Skipper Scores A Battling 79 But Rabada Scalps Four To Restrict India To 223; Bumrah Gets Elgar Early

- K.ShriniwasRao

On a day when the sun was out for most of the time and wind blew from across the Atlantic, watching cricket might have been blissful. Walking out there to face the new ball and not getting distracted by the uneven bounce or by the captivating sight of the Table Mountains, however, was going to be another challenge altogether.

India won the toss and took the challenge head on, thrilled at the prospect of bowling last on this pitch as the Test goes on. The decision should have put the visitors in a far better position by the end of the day than what the eventual score read – 223 all out in 77.3 overs.

Barring Kohli’s 201-ball 79, that included 12 fours and a six, and Cheteshwar Pujara’s relatively quicker 43 off 77 balls – a knock that should’ve prolonged but ended abruptly, none of the other Indian batters managed to stick around.

By the time India were done, South Africa found themselves left with 10-odd overs before stumps, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav sharing the new ball.

A bit of luck aided Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram right at the beginning but that did not last long.

Just the fourth delivery of Bumrah’s second over got a thick edge of Elgar’s bat, flew to first slip and South Africa lost their best batsman even before they could settle down. The hosts sent a nightwatchman next. A bit of control that India may have lost after electing to bat first was soon retained.