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India vs South Africa, 1st Test: Bhuvneshwar Kumar rocks hosts with triple strike
India play hosts South Africa in the first Test of the three-match series at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town today, 5th January 2018.
14:33: Third wicket in three overs for Bhuvi. He has suddenly made the mood in the Proteas’ camp somber and glum. He sends a delivery of a good length and line. Amla wanting to go for his favourite back-foot punch managed to nick it behind the wicketkeeper, and it was a easy take for Saha.
Amla c Saha b Bhuvneshwar 3(10)
In comes, Faf du Plessis, right handed batsman.
South Africa 12/3 in 4.5 overs (AB de Villiers 4(5))
Over 0.3 || South Africa 0/1 (Aiden Markram 0(0))
What a ball by Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Elgar.
Splendid delivery by Bhuvi and a nice catch by Saha.He pitches it around off, it nips away, and since Elgar is new to the crease, he has to play it and the slight seam movement does the job to crack a tough nut from SA’s top order.
Dream start for India.
Elgar c Saha b Bhuvneshwar 0(3).
In comes Hashim Amla, right-handed batsman.
Good afternoon everyone.
Welcome to Zee News Sports’ live commentary on South Africa vs India, 1st Test.
India play hosts South Africa in the first Test of the three-match series at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town today, 5th January 2018.
India have never won a cricket series in South Africa, but coach Ravi Shastri is confident that his men are capable of winning this time. India will play three Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is on this tour.
A series win in South Africa will see the Indians create a new world record of 10 consecutive Test series victories. India have won nine successive series and are currently on level with Australia.
India have played 17 Tests against South Africa in South Africa, winning two, losing eight and drawing seven.
The Newlands pitch has plenty of grass and is expected to help fast bowlers especially in the first session, says Shaun Pollock.
South Africa’s skipper Faf du Plessis wins the toss and elects to bat first. Virat Kohli and his men will field.
Skipper Kohli has revealed that Jasprit Bumrah will be making his Test debut today
India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah.
Ajinkya Rahane, who did very well against South Africa on India’s last tour here, has missed the bus.
South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel.
Dale Steyn gets picked after missing out on cricket for almost 13 months.
