September 19, 2026 07:06 am (IST)
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India fold for 215, South Africa lose early wickets
Nagpur, Nov 25 (IBNS) Day one of the third Test match between India and South Africa ended on an even note as India negated their batting deficit by picking up two South African wickets upfront, here on Wednesday.
South Africa have managed 11 runs for the loss of 2 wickets after bowling India out for 215 runs in their first innings.
Opting to bat first, Kohli and his men got off to a good start as the openers added 50 runs for the first wickets inside 14 overs.
Dhawan (12) was the first to depart, as Elgar took a sharp catch of his own bowling.
He was followed by the in-form Murali Vijay, who with an array of boundaries and a six scored 40 runs. Vijay looked solid with his footwork until Morne Morkel trapped him in front.
The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli along with Cheteshwar Pujara tried resisting the host till lunch but fell once the break was over, as Simon Harmer removed Pujara (21) with a ball that kept low.
Virat (22) too was sent back to the pavilion by Morne Morkel, who bowled outside the off-stump to induce an edge off Virat's bat, but not before he sent Ajinkya Rahane's (13) stumps flying. Rahane was set up nicely by the tall South African, who bowled an out-swinger the ball before and then produced an in-swinging delivery to peg back the Mumbaikar's stump.
Rohit Sharma, who made his comeback played 28 balls for his 2 runs and was removed by Harmer.
India were at a precarious position, having lost 6 wickets for 125 runs, but a gritty Wriddhiman Saha and a free flowing Ravindra Jadeja stitched a 48 runs partnership for the seventh wicket to take the total closer to the 200-run mark.
Jadeja scored 34 off 54 balls, hitting 6 boundaries in his entertaining innings.
Saha's patience filled knock was cut short by a diving JP Duminy who plucked the ball mid air to send him back. He fell victim to Harmer for 32, whiling playing 106 balls.
Ravichandran Ashwin was the lone victim of Imran Tahir. Ashwin scored 15 off 44 balls and hit a four.
While the 11th man Ishant Sharma could not face a ball, Amit Mishra scored 3 off 9 balls.
For South Africa, their pacers bowled impeccable line to restrict the run flow. But it was Simon Harmer, the off-spinner who picked up four wickets for 78 runs.
Morne Morkel picked up 3 wickets for 35 runs, while Kagiso Rabada, Dean Elgar and Imran Tahir picked up a wicket each.
Coming out to bat with just 9 overs to go for the day, the Proteas lost their opener Stiaan van Zyl for naught, as a ball from Ashwin turned sharply to take the edge of his bat and landed in Rahane's palm, who was waiting in the slip cordon.
South Africa sent 'night-watchman' Imran Tahir to play off the overs but a straighter from Jadeja crashed into his stumps, to bring out South African skipper to the crease.
Hashim Amla (0 not out) and Dean Elgar (7 not out) will start off proceedings for their team, when play resumes tomorrow.
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