South Africa vs India 2018, 3rd Test, Day 1: 5 things we learnt

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Pujara dug in and made a fighting half-century to keep India afloat

Spurred on by Vernon Philander's miserly spell and the five-man pace attack, South Africa bowled India out for 187 after the visitors won the toss and decided to bat first on a green-tinged surface. Though Cheteshwar Pujara resisted with a gritty half-century, South Africa were relentless with the ball and India's no. 3 ran out of reliable batsmen who could support him.

Though the hosts were shoddy with their catching, India gifted too many chances, especially Virat Kohli, and South Africa were all over them like a rash.

The Proteas then lost Aiden Markram to Bhuvneshwar Kumar late in the day before nightwatchman, Kagiso Rabada, and Dean Elgar took them to safety.

#5 Vernon Philander's incessant eight-over spell

Philander was outstanding with the ball in the first session

Vernon Philander marked his 50th Test with an exceptional opening spell of eight overs that featured seven maidens, just one run scored, one wicket taken and a zillion balls scoot past the outside edge. The niggardly South African medium pacer hit his straps early, found the right length and kept plugging away.

The seam movement on offer made batting against him a nightmare. He set up Lokesh Rahul with a few out-swingers before bringing one back into him to eke out an inside edge. Cheteshwar Pujara was peppered outside his off-stump with ones that seamed in or moved away and the Indian no. 3 was lucky to survive against Philander's outrageous control.

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