Mohammed Shami, India vs South Africa
Mohammed Shami appeals. (Photo: Twitter)

Hosts South Africa stamped their authority on the second Test in Johannesburg as they bundled out India for a paltry 202 on Day 1. The Proteas reached 35/1 at the end of the day’s play and trail the visitors by 167.

KL Rahul stood in as captain for Virat Kohli after the latter was ruled out due to an upper back spasm. Rahul opted to bat after winning the toss and the openers set out to get India off to a good start once again. They raced away to 36/0 at the end of the first hour with Mayank Agarwal scoring most of the runs.

South Africa
Image Source: Twitter

The trouble began after the drinks break as Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane all fell in the second hour which was dominated by the hosts. Rahul and Hanuma Vihari began a partnership but Rassie van der Dussen pulled off a stunner to send the latter back.

Rahul also fell after reaching his fifty. Ravichandran Ashwin and Rishabh Pant got the innings going but the final session was where India capitulated quite poorly. If not for some lower-order resistance, they would have ended with a total of less than 170.

Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram
Image Source: Twitter

When South Africa came in to bat, there was still movement on offer and the pitch also had variable bounce. In-form bowler, Mohammed Shami, provided the early breakthrough when he trapped Aiden Markram plumb in front of the stumps. It was the third time that Shami had dismissed Markram.

Luckily for the Proteas, skipper Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen saw the rest of the day through albeit surviving some close calls. Heading into the second day, things are well in favor of South Africa.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to South Africa vs India, Day 1:

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