India's return home for first Test match since 2013 proved to be a disastrous one as they were bundled out for201 at close of play on Day 1 of the Gandhi-Mandela series at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. However, the hosts turned things slightly in their favour by reducing South Africa to 28/2.
Murali Vijay (75) was the only bright spot on an otherwise tough day for Virat Kohli led side. With his 12th half ton in Tests, Vijay propelled India forward despite continually losing his partners at the other end. To make matters worse for India, four of these wickets were picked up by part-time left arm spinner Dean Elgar. His slow and flight deliveries hurt the Indian batting lineup.Much to his credit, the wickets he took were of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Amit Mishra.
Winning the toss, Kohli opted to bat first on a pitch that was developing cracks. In terms of personnel change, Rohit Sharma and Stuart Binny were dropped with the team opting for the expected five-bowler lineup including three spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja.The Proteas were hurt by the absences of JP Duminy and a late fitness test for Morne Morkel didn't turn out the way they would have wished.
With cloudy and overcast conditions and suggestions of showers, India lost Shikhar Dhawan before any runs could be put on the board. His poor run of form in this series continued when he tried to slash Vernon Philander in the second over of the day but got a thick outside edge to be caught by captain HashimAmla in the slips. Incidentally, the last time he was here, on debut, he scored 187 runs against Australia.
Pujara (31)brought about the first runs with a strong and solid boundary.
Right arm off-spinner Simon Harmer replaced Dale Steyn and had a decent shout for lbw on Vijay.
The Tamil Nadu player failed to read the spin properly and the ball didn't turn as much as expected to hit the back pad. The umpire however turned the appeal down because it was possibly going outside off.
Elgar came on to replace Rabada in the 21st over and picked up his first wicket on the fourth delivery. Pujara tried to defend an off stumpdelivery but was caught in the middle. To top it off, the spinner thumped his chest King Kong style in celebration!
India's woes were further multiplied when Kohli captaining for the first time in India on his 27thbirthday went for one. He tried to play on the leg side but caught a leading edge to be taken by Elgar at cover.
The second session proved decisive. Much like the second session on day 3 of the first Test against Sri lanka, it looks like this could also decide the outcome of the match. Then Dinesh Chandimal had chipped in with a hundred to take match from India's hands and now, Elgar may have.
In response, South Africa had a disastrous start too. Proteas lost Stiaan Van Zyl and Faf du Plessis. The previous offered no shot to an Ashwin delivery robably expecting it to turn and go into the keeper's gloves to be caught leg before. ODI captain Faf went without troubling the scorers as he replicated Zyl's mistake to offer no shot to Jadeja's spinner to have the top of his off stump taken. At this point, SA were 9/2 and in worrying condition but Elgar and Amla held through to close of play.