Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten fifty runs partnership for the fourth wicket helped India steady their innings after receiving an early jolt in the first of the two-match Test series at SuperSport Park here on Tuesday.
At lunch, India were 91/3 with Virat and Shreyas batting on 33 and 31, respectively after they were sent in to bat by South Africa captain Temba Bavuma.
India got off to a positive start as they hammered three boundaries in the first four overs, with Yasashvi Jaiswal tucking and driving Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen over the ropes.
India captain Rohit Sharma punched on the backfoot for his first boundary but mistimed his favorite pull-shot straight into the hands of debutant Nandre Burger at fine leg for 5.
Oozing with confidence after taking his maiden Test catch, Burger forced Jaiswal to edge behind the stumps to Kyle Verreynne for 17, which was studded with four boundaries.
Burger then sent back Shubman Gill for 2 after the No.3 batsman gloved one down the leg side to Verreynne to take his second catch of the match. The straight umpire did not rule him out, it was Verreynne who dispelled Bavuma’s doubts about going for the DRS and eventually got the decision in South Africa’s favour.
India could have been in deep trouble by losing another wicket if the hosts could have held on to two catches in quick succession. Jansen and Tony de Zorzi were the culprits as they dropped Shreyas and Virat, much to India’s delight.
Virat and Shreyas capitalised on the lifeline and executed some sparkling shots. Shreyas even smoked a six over deep backward square leg for six as India steadied the ship before the break.
Brief scores: India 91/3 (Virat Kohli 33*, Shreyas Iyer 31*; Nandre Burger 2/23) vs South Africa.
