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South Africa hit back after Bhuvneshwar Kumar stars for India in Cape Town Test
Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked four wickets as India bowled out South Africa for 286 before the Proteas hit back on Day 1 of the first Test at Newlands on Friday.
India’s famed top order had their stuffing knocked out by hostile fast bowling from South Africa as the visitors conceded the momentum gained over two sessions in just 11 overs to end the first day of the Newlands Test at 28/3. With three wickets lost --- including that of Virat Kohli --- South Africa’s first innings score of 286 looks more than par for this pitch. (South Africa vs India 1st Test, Day 1 highlights)
After asserting repeatedly they had their bases covered against bounce, India lost Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan to the rising ball. Deliveries that could have been left alone were poked at as South Africa rolled out all their four fast bowlers in short bursts that left India in more than a spot of bother. (South Africa vs India 1st Test, Day 1 scorecard)
It completely negated Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s four-wicket burst that helped India restrict South Africa to under 300 despite a lower-order fightback after fifties from South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers in a 114-run partnership. Till the time that partnership happened, India’s seamers were bossing around in conditions that were expectedly helpful.
Mohammed Shami, as per expectation, was economical but didn’t look in rhythm for a long time. R Ashwin was given just eight overs in which he took two wickets but it was Bhuvneshwar who delivered the most initial blows.
He struck twice in two overs, removing openers Dean Elgar --- highest Test scorer for South Africa last year --- and Aiden Markram. Elgar seemed surprised by one that moved away. Forced to play a shot, he managed a poke to Wriddhiman Saha.
Markram was done in by a Bhuvneshwar delivery that seamed in after pitching to hit his pad just outside off-stump. Having offered no shot, Markram, knew he stood no chance if he had asked for a review. Hashim Amla then departed, trying to fish outside his off-stump to an away-moving delivery.
With the first three partnerships reading 0, 7 and 5, De Villiers turned the momentum in South Africa’s favour, starting by taking apart Bhuvneshwar in a stunning counterattack. Punishing every wide ball, De Villiers helped Du Plessis get into the groove till surprise debutant Jasprit Bumrah bowled him with a delivery that jagged back and took an inside edge.
Two balls after surviving a leg-before review to Hardik Pandya, Du Plessis only managed to get the toe end of his bat trying to cut, sparking over-the-top celebration from Kohli for which he was cautioned by the umpires. Edges were flying around but South Africa still managed a run rate of over four for almost their entire innings.
Quinton de Kock looked in a hurry, carving seven boundaries in a 40-ball 43 but it was Keshav Maharaj who hurt India more by scoring 35. He should have been dismissed on 0 but for Dhawan’s butter fingers, dropping him at third slip and denying Bhuvneshwar a five-wicket haul.
Dhawan had the chance to redeem himself after Murali Vijay chased a wide delivery from Vernon Philander. He even caressed a boundary through covers but couldn’t resist the temptation of trying to pull a climbing Dale Steyn delivery. Out came Kohli but he only managed a poke at a short delivery from Morkel, leaving Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma --- astonishingly selected ahead of Ajinkya Rahane --- staring at an uphill climb on the second day.
