SA vs IND 1st Test: South Africa flounders on Day 1

Cape Town: India regained momentum in the second session of the first Test by dismissing four South African batsmen for 123 runs after AB de Villiers and skipper Faf du Plessis had stitched together a 114-run partnership for the fourth wicket at Newlands here on Friday.

At Tea on Day 1, India was in a dominating position with South Africa reeling under pressure at 230/7. The condition of the home side could have been worst if some straight forwards chances were not missed at the slip cordon.

Jasprit Bumrah broke a solid looking partnership as an in-swinging delivery kissed the AB de Villiers' off stump when he was batting at 65 runs. He took 84 balls and smashed 11 boundaries. Du Plessis also departed in quick succession as he edged a delivery bowled by Mohammed Shami to wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha.

Du Plessis scored 62 runs off 104 deliveries with the help of 12 fours. Wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock, who has a solid record against India, was looking good in his 43-run knock off just 40 balls. He scored 7 fours before becoming the fourth victim of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Vernon Philander was stunned by a fabulous in-swinging delivery by Mohammed Shami as he went back at 23 runs off 35 balls. He also scored 4 boundaries. Keshav Maharaj, who got a life when he was dropped at the third slip by Shikhar Dhawan, was unbeaten at 23 runs off 27 balls with 3 fours and a six. He was accompanied by Kagiso Rabada (1 off 5) at the crease.

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Earlier in the first session, South Africa could not enjoy the advantage of winning the toss as they were quickly restored to 12/3 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis used their experience to consolidate South Africa after Indian paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar wrecked havoc by sending back top three batsman in the three-match series opener.

At Lunch on Day 1, De Villiers was unbeaten at 59 off 65 balls and had smashed 11 boundaries, while skipper Du Plessis was not out at 37 off 67 deliveries. He also scored 7 boundaries in his inning. South Africa was still under pressure at 107/3 with two of their most experienced batsman batting at the crease.

Earlier, openers Dean Elgar (0 off 2) and Aiden Markram (5 off 11) and Hashim Amla (3 off 10) could not make it to the double figures as Bhuvneshwar Kumar was hitting the deck at the right spots and was swinging the ball in and out both ways.