IND v SA: Kohli Scores 79 But South Africa Wins The Day (Report)

Virat Kohli's 79 helped India get to 223 as Kagiso Rabada ran riot in the visitor's batting lineup with a four-wicket haul. However, India struck back as they got Dean Elgar before the end of Day 1's play at Cape Town. 

Returning captain, Virat Kohli, won the toss and opted to bat first in overcast conditions as India made two changes to their playing XI - Mohammad Siraj and Hanuma Vihari out, Kohli and Umesh Yadav in. South Africa continued with their winning XI for this test. 

South African bowlers began well, especially Kagiso Rabada, who kept challenging the edge of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Duanne Olivier also kept bringing the ball into the batters as India survived the first hour of the play. 

Olivier's continuous nip-backers finally brought success as Rahul got the edge straight to the keeper as India lost its first wicket for 31. In the next over, Rabada moved the bowl slightly towards away that took Mayank's outside edge straight to the slips. 

Cheteshwar Pujara started well as he pulled one to the boundary. Virat Kohli took time before he drove Marco Jansen for a boundary. The duo was challenged with deliveries outside the off-stump but both Kohli and Pujara kept leaving the balls. 
South African bowlers were right on the money from ball one in the second session and didn't allow Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli any scoring opportunities. 

The disciplined bowling kept challenging the batters' off stump but Kohli and Pujara too kept their cool not to go for shots. Marco Jansen got the breakthrough for his team in the form of Pujara. 

Jansen came around the wicket for Pujara and bowled two angled in deliveries. Pujara left the first one which missed the off stump by a whisker but a similar delivery on the next ball, which India number three had to play and got the edge. Pujara got out after scoring 43. 

Ajinkya Rahane joined Kohli and the two added 21 runs in just 28 balls. Right after the drinks, Kagiso Rabada was brought in and he removed Rahane on the first ball after the break. 

It was the beginning of one of the most lethal spells from the fast bowler. Kohli and Rishabh Pant had to survive some jaffas from Rabada, who induced a few plays and misses and edges from both the batters. 

Kohli-Pant added 51 runs for the fifth wicket before Jansen ran the Indian wicketkeeper out of patience and got him out at the Gully for 27. 

Kohli had to play with the tail after that. He added 30 runs in 30 balls with Shardul Thakur but Keshav Maharaj struck to get the all-rounder out. Kohli eventually fell against Rabada for 79. 

Rabada ended with a four-wicket haul while Jansen took three wickets as India got bowled out for 223. 

South Africa had to survive eight overs before the day's play ended. Jasprit Bumrah struck early and got Dean Elgar out for three runs. The home team sent in Keshav Maharaj as nightwatchman, who survived till the end with Aiden Markram with the score reading 17/1. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 - England vs Australia Schedule and Squads

India - 223/10 
South Africa - 17/1