Start of play delayed due to rain

South Africa are 1-0 down in the four-match series with the second Test beginning on Saturday, in what will be Proteas star AB de Villiers’ 100th outing.

India won the first Test at Mohali by 108 runs in under three days but getting even that much play looks hard in Bangalore with more rain forecast for the next few days.

India spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja grabbed eight wickets each at Mohali, with legspinner Amit Mishra also bowling well.

Ashwin had JP Duminy snapped up by Ajinkya Rahane in the slips before Jadeja grabbed a return catch off Dane Vilas (15) in a double blow that had the South Africans hopping at 159-6.

AB de Villiers stood tall amidst ruins in his 100th appearance as Indian spinners dominated the proceedings, reducing South Africa to a miserable 177 for seven at tea. “Hope our bowlers will do a good job for us”. The majority of the inexperienced batsmen in the line-up are playing under Indian conditions for the first time, and will have to show better application in the second innings to counter India’s spin threat. A persistent drizzle and heavy clouds meant the first session on Sunday (November 15) was washed out without play, meaning India are still on their overnight score of 80 for no loss, trailing by 134 after sticking South Africa in and bowling them out for 214. Kohli conceded that the moisture on the wicket due to incessant rains in the city will inevitably aid South African pacers.

Faf du Plessis’ Wicket: Was It or Wasn’t It?

India’s insistence on five bowlers will mean Umesh Yadav will be the second seamer alongside three specialist spinners. Just after lunch, Elgar swept Jadeja from his improvised guard of off stump, possibly slightly outside. “It’s a very personal thing, though”, the always-humble de Villiers told ESPN CricInfo.

“You really need a good delivery to prise him out”. Anxious moments prevailed as the third umpire verified the legality of a diving take by Wriddhiman Saha. On and off rain showers will keep troubling the players and grounds men alike.

South Africa went into the match with a depleted pace attack with Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander both out injured. Duminy and Morkel returned from injury while Kyle Abbott was rushed back into action in spite of only arriving in India less than 24 hours before the start of the match.

South Africa were rescued by the ever-dependent de Villiers, who scored a crucial 85-run knock which was instrumental in the total crossing the 200 run mark. Then they batted fluently and without pressure, which has been a rare event, with a long time spent on the road. Murali Vijay, dropped at square leg by Imran Tahir when on 21, had worked his way to a patient 28.