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South Africa pacers exhibited a high-class bowling display as the hosts completely dominated Day 1 of the second Test against India at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
In the morning session, Marco Jansen drew the first blood after he removed the opener, Mayank Agarwal, for 26 in the 15th over. Soon, Duanne Oliver joined the party and picked up the key wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to put the visitors on backfoot. While Pujara could only manage to add three runs, Rahane was dismissed for a golden duck.
Stand-in captain KL Rahul and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin looked good in their respective crucial contributions to the team’s total.
Rahul smashed a brilliant half-century and stood tall against a quality pace attack before falling for a short-pitch delivery off Jansen. The Karnataka batter top-scored with 50 off 133 balls. Similarly, Ashwin also shined with the bat, scoring 46 off 50 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
In the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who was ruled out of the second match due to an upper back spasm, Hanuma Vihari was bought in as his replacement.
Vihari looked good in his 17 off 43 before Rassie van der Dussen plucked a stunning catch to end the Andra batters’ innings.
The tourists were eventually bundled out for 202 in 63.1 overs. Jansen picked up four wickets for 31 in 17 overs. Similarly, Kagiso Rabada (3/64) and Olivier (3/64) bagged three scalps each.
In response, the hosts scored 35 at stumps in 18 overs at a loss of one wicket. Mohammed Shami provided the only breakthrough in the form of Aiden Markram. Dean Elgar (11 no) and Keegan Petersen (14 no) are unbeaten at the crease, with South Africa trailing by 167 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
STUMPS on Day 1 of the 2nd Test.
South Africa 35/1, trail #TeamIndia 202 by 167 runs.
Scorecard – https://t.co/qcQcovZ41s #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/FAaPxWSwgZ
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022
SA haven’t made too many runs, but have lost just one wicket which is so important in the context of the match. It’s been their day through and through.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 3, 2022
Great effort from South Africa on Day 1 of the Johannesburg Test. To restrict India at 202 is a good effort. Jansen Olivier Rabada bowled well. India were disciplined & got one wicket in 18 overs. Big 1st hour on Day 2. Feel chasing 175+ will be tough on this pitch #SAvIND
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 3, 2022
STUMPS, DAY 1️⃣
An enthralling day of Test cricket, where Shami continued his fine form to dismiss Markram after #TeamIndia were bowled out for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣
Who were you most impressed by today❓
🇿🇦 – 35/1 (18)#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/hjTv1FXEvy
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 3, 2022
Stumps on day one in Johannesburg 🏏
An enthralling day of play!#WTC23 | https://t.co/BCpTa2JF2P pic.twitter.com/RsSonickbK
— ICC (@ICC) January 3, 2022
Eighteen overs of relentless wickets pace/seam bowling by India in the last session but luck hasn’t favoured them. It’s the Batting that’s put Indian on the back foot. Fully, South Africa’s day #IndvsSA
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 3, 2022
Stumps, Day 1⃣
🇿🇦 finish stronger with just one wicket falling for them in that final session.
🇿🇦- 35/1 (18)#SAvIND #SaddaPunjab
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 3, 2022
