Kanpur: Having bowled out South Africa by the end of the first day's play, India will be looking to cease the initiative with a healthy lead when they come out to bat on Saturday.
It wasn't exactly a see-saw battle on day one of the third and final Test but more of South Africa having India on the mat and then throwing it away. India bowled out South Africa for 265 just before stumps at the Green Park stadium here on Friday.
Considering the ominous signs India were subject to at the start of play, MS Dhoni will be relatively happy with his first day at office as India’s Test captain. India took one wicket in the first session, three in the second and six in the last to end the South African innings in 87.3 overs. Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh took three wickets each.
Even before play began, India suffered two major blows. First, skipper Anil Kumble, the home side’s most experienced and successful bowler was ruled out. And then, stand-in captain Dhoni, who became the first wicketkeeper to lead an Indian Test side, lost the crucial toss and India had to field, which meant would bat last on a languished pitch that would disintegrate faster than the Indian top order had in Ahmedabad.
South Africa got off to a confident start on a pitch, which fortunately for them did not throw too many demons in the beginning. But the Proteas were unable to capitalise as none of their batsmen converted their starts to big scores. Skipper Graeme Smith top scored with 69 and Hashim Amla notched up a half-century.
It wasn't exactly a see-saw battle on day one of the third and final Test but more of South Africa having India on the mat and then throwing it away. India bowled out South Africa for 265 just before stumps at the Green Park stadium here on Friday.
Considering the ominous signs India were subject to at the start of play, MS Dhoni will be relatively happy with his first day at office as India’s Test captain. India took one wicket in the first session, three in the second and six in the last to end the South African innings in 87.3 overs. Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh took three wickets each.
Even before play began, India suffered two major blows. First, skipper Anil Kumble, the home side’s most experienced and successful bowler was ruled out. And then, stand-in captain Dhoni, who became the first wicketkeeper to lead an Indian Test side, lost the crucial toss and India had to field, which meant would bat last on a languished pitch that would disintegrate faster than the Indian top order had in Ahmedabad.
South Africa got off to a confident start on a pitch, which fortunately for them did not throw too many demons in the beginning. But the Proteas were unable to capitalise as none of their batsmen converted their starts to big scores. Skipper Graeme Smith top scored with 69 and Hashim Amla notched up a half-century.
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