JOHANNESBURG: South African pacers shone with the ball; dismissing India for a paltry 202 in the first innings of the second Test, on Monday.
The proteas finished the first day at 35/1; trailing by 167 runs. Following the brilliance of the pacers, the hosts bowled India out for a mere 202.
At the toss, India’s standing captain – KL Rahul elected to bat first after the coin flipped in his favour. India’s regular captain, Virat Kohli missed the ongoing Test following an injury.
Batting first, Indian openers provided an average start to the side; putting up a 36-runs partnership before Mayank Aggarwal dismissed after scoring 26. Soon after, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane departed in quick succession; causing the side to slip to 49/3.
Hanuma Vihari, however, looked to anchor the innings along with Rahul, but, he too departed cheaply. Rahul, on the other hand, put on his first Test century as captain, but, was unable to go deep. He was dismissed after scoring 50, laced with nine boundaries.
The side then ran into a collapse and lost their remaining half of the side for just 86 runs. Indian veteran spinner – Ravichandran Ashwin, however, showed grit; scoring 46 runs. Ashwin was removed by the promising young pacer – Macro Jensen.
For the Proteas, Jensen starred; picking up four wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier each claimed three wickets.
In response to India’s 202, the hosts could not start their inning decently; losing their first wicket for just 14, as Mohammed Shami trapped Aiden Markram in legs for his individual score of seven. Shami has now removed the right-handed top-order batter thrice in three innings, thus far in the ongoing series.
Dean Elgar (11*) and Keegan Petersen (14*) will now resume the proceedings for the home side at 35/1 on the second day.
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