Virat Kohli's gritty 119 helped India reach 255
for five at the end of Day One of the first Test against South Africa at the
New Wanderers Stadium here Wednesday.After India's dismal performance in the
ODI series, the batsmen finally had something to cheer about as Kohli along
with Cheteshwar Pujara (25) and Ajinkya Rahane (42 batting) showed some fight
and determination in applying themselves.Kohli was the only wicket to fall in
the final session as India added another 100 runs to their score.
Kohli led India's fightback after losing two
early wickets. The 25-year-old curbed his natural instincts to attack and
showed great patience. He was severe on anything short and along with Rahane
strung together a 68-run partnership for the fifth wicket.The duo looked like
they would take India to a strong position but a lapse in concentration from
Kohli saw him mishit a wide delivery from Jacques Kallis and lob a catch to
J.P. Duminy in the covers.South African pacers' ploy of bowling well outside
the off-stump finally worked but came as a surprise for many to see bowlers of
the calibre of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel bowl so negatively.Rahane and India
captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, then, combined well to negotiate the second new
ball and take India to the end of the day's play without any more mishaps.
Earlier, Pujara and Kohli survived the onslaught
of speedsters Steyn and Morkel, taking India to 70/2 at lunch.The promising
Indian pair showed fight, braving a fiery spell after openers Shikhar Dhawan
(13) and Murali Vijay (6) were sent packing in the first hour after Dhoni opted
to bat in sunny conditions.Steyn, once again, looked threatening from ball one
before striking in his fifth over, using the short ball tactic to remove
Dhawan.Vijay too struggled against high quality pace. His 42-ball innings ended
after he fished at a full length ball outside off stump with keeper Ab de
Villiers doing the rest, giving Morkel his first wicket.Kohli and Pujara dealt
with the hostile attack in contrasting fashion. Pujara played the waiting game,
scoring 18 off 61 balls while Kohli struck five fours.
The visitors put on 94 more runs in the second
session but lost Pujara and Rohit Sharma (14) in the process. Kohli, on the
other hand, raced away to an unbeaten 84 and was batting with Rahane (12 not
out) when tea was called.While Pujara was run out, Rohit (14) nicked a Vernon
Philander delivery.Meanwhile, Dhoni became the first Indian to captain in 50
Tests.
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