SA v India 2018: Ravichandran Ashwin, who gave India edge on Day 1, feels the pitch is flat

It was an interesting day’s Test cricket as honors were shared at the end of the opening day’s play of the 2^nd Test between India and South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. South Africa dominated the opening two sessions, but the visitors and the No 1 Test team in the world came back strongly in the final session to reduce them to 269/6 at the end of 90 overs.

Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram began resoundingly and shared an 85 runs partnership for the opening wicket before Ravichandran Ashwin removed the southpaw with a well-flighted delivery. Markram kept going and struck some fluent shots, but just as he was approaching a well-deserved century, it was again Ashwin who sent him back to the pavilion with a beautiful delivery.

The next batsman to get out was AB de Villiers as Ishant Sharma castled him with a beautiful inswinger. South Africa reached a commendable score of 246/3 when a mini-collapse began which reduced them to 251/6. Hashim Amla after scoring a fluent 82 was run out by Hardik Pandya as the all-rounder hurled a terrific throw which sent him back to the pavilion.

Quinton de Kock didn’t manage to bother the scorers and was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin. It was a well tossed up delivery which took the outside edge of his bat and was safely pouched by Virat Kohli in the 1^st slip. The 2^nd batsman to be dismissed run out was Vernon Philander as he ran without looking at his skipper and was ran out by Pandya.

Here is what Ravichandran Ashwin said at the end of day 1:

“The pitch is tough to bowl on. It remained flat for most of the day and then suddenly one bowled jumped, and it again became flat for large parts of the game. So from my point of view patience was the key. Also, glad we didn’t allow them to run away with the game. Tomorrow first session is crucial for us.”