CAPE TOWN: Jasprit Bumrah provided an early breakthrough after India collapsed for 223 in the first innings on day one of the third Test against South Africa, here on Tuesday. 

Bumrah’s late inswinger saw Proteas’ skipper Dean Elgar departing after scoring a mere three. Aiden Markram (8*) and the nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj (6*) will now resume the proceedings for the home side at 17/1 on the second day of the ongoing Test.

Indian captain – Virat Kohli opted to bat first after the coin flipped in his favour. Batting first, the Indian openers failed to provide a solid start to the team as both the batters departed at a combined score of 33. KL Rahul scored 12, while Mayank Agarwal could score 15.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli then anchored the innings with a 62-runs stand for the third wicket. The duo appeared firm, but, Pujara walked back to the pavilion after nicking the ball straight into the gloves of South African wicket-keeper, Kyle Verreynne. He scored 43; facing 77 balls. The right-handed batter smashed seven boundaries.

The side then began to lose wickets at a consistent rate; resulting in India slipping from 95/2 to 116/4. Rishabh Pant then showed grit with his 27 off 50 balls, but, fell short of Macro Jensen’s brilliant delivery.

Kohli, on the other hand, stood firm and kept ticking the scoreboard, while the touring side was losing the wickets at an alarming rate. Kohli scored a gritty 79 before getting dismissed on Kagiso Rabada’s outside off-stump delivery; nicking the ball into the gloves of Verreynne. He faced a mammoth 201 balls for his 79; scoring 12 boundaries and a six.

Following his departure, the touring side soon bowled for 223 in the first innings.

For the Proteas, Rabada impressed with his four wickets, while Jensen bagged three. Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi, and Maharaj made one scalp each.

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