Kuldeep picks up 3 wickets to lead India's charge against SA on first day of second Test

Kuldeep Yadav's three-wicket haul became the standout bowling effort on the opening day of the first-ever Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, as a persistent India restricted South Africa to 247/6 in 81.5 overs before bad light forced stumps to arrive early on day one.

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The left-arm wrist-spinner returned figures of 3-48, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja took a wicket each as India got rewarded for their persistence by picking four wickets in the final session. On a good red soil batting pitch, all South African batters got good starts, but none went on to a half-century.

Each time the batters looked to accelerate, India were sharp enough to seize the opportunity and pick scalps, thus ensuring the visitors never fully ran away with opening day honours. With South Africa now into their lower order, India will aim to wrap up the innings quickly on Day Two.

In the morning, after electing to bat first, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton ensured South Africa had a steady start against new ball bowlers Bumrah and Siraj. The duo got decent carry and swing, though two sets of byes went against wicketkeeper and skipper Rishabh Pant's name.