CENTURION, DECEMBER 26
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer both enjoyed reprieves as India reached 91-3 in 26 overs at lunch on day one of the first test against South Africa on Tuesday.
Kohli and Iyer were both dropped on four after South Africa snatched three top-order wickets to leave India 24-3 in 11.1 overs.
Kohli is unbeaten on 33 runs at the break with Iyer 31 not out. The duo put on 67 runs for the fourth wicket to help India's recovery.
The Boxing Day test began late after the toss was delayed by 45 minutes. No overs were lost despite overnight rain and the sun did come out after the first hour.
India's top order, though, found the going tough after South Africa won the toss and opted to field.
Skipper Rohit Sharma was the first to go as he was caught pulling to fine leg for five runs off Kagiso Rabada.
Playing his first test in South Africa, Yashaswi Jaiswal managed 17 off 37 balls. He hit four fours before edging behind off Burger, who took 2-23 in five overs.
Also playing his first test innings here, Shubman Gill was then caught behind off Burger for two runs.
It could have been worse for India as Iyer was dropped at point off Rabada in the 12th over. Tony de Zorzi then dropped Kohli at square leg in the next over.
The duo then settled down to score some good runs, hitting seven fours and a six between them. Kohli and Iyer put on 50 off 71 balls.
South Africa had reason to worry as skipper Temba Bavuma walked off with a suspected hamstring issue, which he suffered while fielding.
The Proteas handed test debuts to Burger and David Bedingham. For India, pacer Prasidh Krishna makes his test debut.
