April 14, 2026 11:04 am (IST)
Follow us:
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.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Brett Lee mourns Asha Bhosle, recalls collaboration: 'Her kindness and humility stayed with me'
Mon, Apr 13 2026
Last-gasp magic! Jason Cummings stuns Punjab FC with sensational free-kick for Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mon, Apr 13 2026
Big boost for India! Commonwealth delegation ‘impressed’ with Ahmedabad’s 2030 plans
Fri, Apr 10 2026
80 runs in four matches! Finn Allen struggles to match T20 World Cup heroics in IPL 2026
Thu, Apr 09 2026
Eden Gardens washout: KKR bag first point as PBKS climb to top of IPL 2026 standings
Mon, Apr 06 2026
KKR opt to bat first against PBKS; Varun and Narine miss out
Mon, Apr 06 2026