Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the ship with a solid partnership after South Africa lost Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul cheaply in the opening session.
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Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli steadied the ship for India in the first session of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Tuesday. Pujara, who scored fifty in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test, was looking in great touch. Virat Kohli, who has not scored a century in any format for two years, was assertive at the crease. On an overcast morning with a drizzle in the air, India won the toss and chose to bat. The Proteas did not make any changes but the big news for India was that Kohli returned. Since Mohammed Siraj was unfit, Umesh Yadav came into the side.
Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul looked to start off on an aggressive note. Agarwal benefited from a dropped catch by Keegan Petersen off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada. There was plenty of movement on offer for both Rabada and Duanne Olivier. KL Rahul was getting beaten on multiple occasions. Agarwal eased the pressure with a four each off Rabada and Olivier. When Rabada had conceded two fours in his fourth over, India had raced to 31/0 in 10 overs. It seemed South Africa was going to waste the useful conditions on offer.
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However, South Africa tightened the screws up. After bowling three consecutive maidens, the Indian batsmen finally made a mistake. Olivier got one delivery to bounce a bit extra from a length. KL Rahul wafted at the ball to edge it to the keeper. His dismissal for 12 got South Africa right back in the game. In the very next over bowled by Rabada, Agarwal nicked a full ball and the edge flew to second slip where Aiden Markram took the catch.
For 15 balls, Virat Kohli had a bit of trouble in settling in on the pitch that had seam and swing movement. But, he got off the mark in grand style with a drive through the covers off Marco Jansen. Pujara also showed some positive intent to ensure the runs kept coming. On the other hand, Kohli was troubled by the movement especially by Jansen but he held on.
As the session neared the close, Pujara and Kohli unfurled some good shots and at the lunch break, India was 75/2. South Africa might have bossed the session, but with Kohli and Pujara at the crease, India still has plenty of firepowers. This Test represents a great chance for Virat Kohli to break his century drought. Kohli could have played his 100th Test in Cape Town but he missed the Johannesburg Test due to a back spasm.
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