Johannesburg, South African attack led by the 21-year-old Marco Jansen bundled out India for a rather modest 202 on the opening day of the second Test here at the Wanderers stadium on Monday.
India's middle-order woes was once again on display as South Africa continued making inroads, with Jansen taking four wickets, and Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier picking three each.
KL Rahul's gritty fifty and Ravichandran Ashwin's crucial knock of 46 towards the end were the only high points of India's first innings after electing to bat first.
While the first hour of the play belonged to India, the first session was eventually dominated by South Africa pacers.
Leading India for the first time, Rahul approached the first hour brilliantly as he along with Mayank Agarwal got off to a watchful start. Rahul, who enjoys leaving the ball, left most of the outside-off deliveries, while Mayank got India off the mark with a boundary.
Olivier and Rabada dried up the runs and Jansen eventually drew the first blood after drinks break. Mayank got an outside edge and wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne caught him in front of his face. It was Quinton de Kock’s sudden retirement that gave Verreynne an opportunity to don the gloves for South Africa.
As South Africa made India work hard to earn runs, Olivier removed struggling Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane on consecutive balls.
Pujara, who made 33-ball three, tried to defend but the ball hit the shoulder of the bat and Temba Bavuma accepted a dolly at the point region. India were in further trouble as Olivier got his 50th Test scalp as Rahane fell on the first ball at gully region.
Rahul and Hanuma Vihari carried their mission to save India post lunch while facing some unplayable deliveries. Vihari, who was dropped on nine, added 11 more runs to his tally before Rabada got the breakthrough.
On a typical short and quick Rabada delivery, Vihari got an inside edge that lobbed towards short leg. Rassie van der Dussen, who was stationed at the region, dived to his left and completed a blinder with his left hand at the stroke of drinks.
Vihari looked more solid but could not make the most of the opportunity which he got only after regular captain Virat Kohli was ruled out due to an upper back spasm.
Rishabh Pant and R Ashwin rebuild the innings but soon Pant was caught behind off Jansen for 17. Towards the end, Ashwin (46) and Bumrah (14 not out) added some crucial runs with their aggressive batting.
The Indian attack, too, came hard against South Africa openers. Mohammed Shami pulled one back as he trapped Aiden Markram for seven.
On the stroke of stumps, Mohammed Siraj pulled out at the last moment while delivering his last ball. It looked like the fast bowler had hurt his hamstring as he straightaway left the ground. The over was completed by Shardul Thakur before Jasprit Bumrah bowled the final over of the day.
South Africa captain Dean Elgar (11 not out) and Keegan Petersen (14 not out) concentrated fiercely and saw off the day, with the hosts on 35/1 at stumps.