India claimed four key wickets late in the day to reduce South Africa to 269-6 and boost their chances of victory.
The Proteas did a lot right in the first 80 overs of this contest. Aiden Markram looked to be in terrific touch before he was dismissed for 94. The top-order fired to produce partnerships of 85, 63, 51, and then 47 runs.
At 246-3, the Proteas were in control. At that stage, a first-innings total of 400 seemed more probable than possible. At that stage, the game appeared to be slipping away from India.
Luck certainly wasn’t with the tourists in the first 80 overs. Earlier in the day, Virat Kohli said that he was surprised to see such a slow and low wicket at Centurion. The India skipper confirmed that he too would have batted first if the tourists had won the toss.
The Proteas made a steady if unspectacular start. One could see how badly Markram and Dean Elgar wanted to make an impression. The openers showed terrific application to guide the Proteas to lunch without loss. After the break, Markram and Hashim Amla built on the good start to steer the hosts into a position of strength.
Ravi Ashwin claimed the key wicket of Elgar shortly after lunch. India could have dismissed Amla on 14, and again when the batsman was on 30. Both catches went to ground, though, and India were made to rue the missed chances as Amla grew in confidence.
Markram was the standout for the Proteas, though. He went past 500 Test runs in this innings, and then fell six runs short of what would have been his third century in just seven innings.
Markram had the measure of Ashwin initially, hitting the off-spinner to all corners of the park. India’s go-to man eventually won that battle, though, when he pushed the ball through a bit quicker and got Markram caught behind for 94.
The Proteas were still well placed at tea. Thereafter, AB de Villiers played an Ishant Sharma delivery back onto his stumps.
WATCH: India get the huge wicket of AB de Villiers as he chops one onto his stumps.
The Proteas are 223/3. #SAvIND continues LIVE on SS2. pic.twitter.com/2oMpZa7aBA
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) January 13, 2018
Conditions were good for batting in the afternoon. The heat appeared to be taking its toll on the tourists at this point. The departure of De Villiers, however, provided India with new belief and energy.
Amla and Faf du Plessis clubbed together for a 47-run partnership. It took nearly 18 overs for the pair to score those runs, though.
The pressure finally told when they attempted a run and Amla was caught short of his ground. The Proteas lost their way in the next two overs, with Quinton de Kock edging his first ball off Ashwin to Kohli in the slips, and Vernon Philander contributing to yet another bizarre run out.
Three quick wickets for India, including TWO run-outs!
The Proteas are now 256/6 with Faf and Maharaj at the crease.
Watch #SAvIND LIVE on SS2. pic.twitter.com/dNxqPxQ6HI— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) January 13, 2018
The pressure is now on Du Plessis and Keshav Maharaj to produce a partnership of substance on day two. The Proteas have a long tail, having opted for five bowlers in their lineup for the second consecutive game.
At one stage, 400 seemed a certainty. However, after the collapse late on day one, the Proteas would do well to post 350 or more from here.
SA 269-6 (1st innings) – Aiden Markram 94, Hashim Amla 82, Dean Elgar 31, Ravi Ashwin 3-90
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
