Bowlers prevail as 12 wickets tumble

India dismissed for 201 before South Africa end first Test’s day one on 28-2


Afp November 06, 2015
Elgar starred for South Africa with the ball despite the Proteas having five frontline bowlers in their ranks. PHOTO: AFP

MOHALI: Dean Elgar was the unlikely bowling hero for South Africa as the tourists skittled India for 201 on the opening day of the first Test in Mohali on Thursday.

The part-time left-arm spinner, who had just six wickets in 17 previous Tests, grabbed 4-22 as India lasted just 68 overs before being dismissed after tea.

South Africa were themselves reduced to 9-2 in reply before ending an eventful day’s play on 28 without further loss.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed Stiaan van Zyl leg-before for five and left-arm slow bowler Ravindra Jadeja bowled Faf du Plessis for no score with his second delivery.

Elgar (13) and skipper Hashim Amla (nine) warded off the immediate threat from the Indian spinners to ensure there were no further setbacks in the day for the tourists.

Opener Murali Vijay was the lone top-order Indian batsman to offer any sort of resistance, making 75 before he was the sixth man out, leg-before while trying to sweep off-spinner Simon Harmer.

India were reduced to 154-7 but Jadeja (38) and Ashwin (20 not out) lifted the total with a 42-run stand for the eighth wicket.

South Africa had shown earlier why they are the number one Test side as they claimed three wickets in the morning session after India won the toss and gained the advantage of batting first on a dusty, dry pitch.

The first wicket fell before a run had been scored when Shikhar Dhawan hung his bat out to a swinging ball from Vernon Philander and edged a catch to Amla at first slip.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Vijay retrieved the situation with a 63-run partnership for the second wicket. But Elgar trapped Pujara leg-before for 31 with only his fourth delivery when he was summoned by Amla to bowl the 22nd over.

Four balls later, Elgar dived in the covers to remove Indian captain Virat Kohli for one — also giving debutant fast bowler Kagiso Rabada his first Test wicket.

India, who went to lunch at 82-3, were set back once again by Elgar who took two wickets off successive deliveries across two overs to reduce the hosts to 102-5.

Both Ajinkya Rahane (15) and Wriddhiman Saha (0) were snapped up by Amla in the slips, but Ravindra Jadeja denied Elgar a hat-trick by defending the next ball.

Elgar claimed his fourth wicket when Amit Mishra holed out to Dale Steyn in the deep, soon after Vijay was dismissed.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who was brought on as the sixth bowler, bowled Umesh Yadav and last man Varun Aaron in the space of four balls to wrap up the innings. 


Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ