SA vs Ind 2018: Statistical Review – Day 1, First Test

Indian bowlers got off to a good start after being asked to bowl first in the first Test at Cape Town. Others well supported Bhuvneshwar Kumar-led bowling attack. South Africa lost three quick wickets. However, they managed to put 286 with crucial contribution from the tails.

South African also gave major blows to India as the openers went to the pavilion at a cheap score. Kohli also departed trying to drive a ball well outside his body. However, Indians managed to stay at 27 for three at the end of days play. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma will resume batting on Day 2.

Brief Scores:  South Africa 286 ( de Villiers 65, du Plessis 62) Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4/87

India 27/3 ( Dhawan 16, Pujara 5*) Morne Morkel 1/0

Here are some statistical highlights of Day 1 of the 1^st Test:

1.  The fewest number of Test matches lost by the following captains in the first 32 Test matches is three, a record that belongs to Virat Kohli. Two Indians in the form of Sunil Gavaskar and current skipper Virat Kohli features in the list with Australia’s Ricky Ponting.

2. South Africa’s Dale Steyn becomes the Test bowler with the most caught and bowled dismissal along with Richard Hadlee affecting ten dismissals. Meanwhile, England legend Ian Botham, Windies all-rounder Darren Sammy, and England veteran James Anderson are tied at the second spot with nine caught and bowled dismissals.

3. South Africa’s star pacer Dale Steyn, who made a comeback after a long lay off is now among the top ten wicket-takers in Test cricket.

He overtook India’s Harbhajan Singh’s 417 wickets to claim the tenth spot.

4. First fifty plus partnership between AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis in Test cricket in over four years. Their last was also against India, 205 runs stand in Johannesburg while chasing in 2013.

5. This is the lowest score Virat Kohli has registered in the first International innings of a calendar year for the last five years.

The previous years’ score in his first International innings in the calendar year were 122, 91, 147, and 123 respectively.