SA 65-2 (20 ovs) & 286 vs India 209 | Scorecard

All-rounder Hardik Pandya smashed a quickfire half-century and then claimed a couple of wickets to keep India in the hunt, on Day 2 of the first Test in Cape Town.

Pandya blasted 93 from 95 balls, laced with 14 fours and a six, to help India rally to 209 in their first innings.

South Africa, who grabbed a 77-run first innings lead, reached 65 for two in their second innings to swell their lead to 142 runs.

Pandya dismissed both the openers -- Markram (34) and Elgar (25) to keep India's hopes alive in the contest.

Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (25) brought India back from the dead with a 99-run partnership for the eighth wicket after they were reeling at 92 for seven at one stage.

South Africa still have the upperhand with a lead of 142 runs and eight wickets still in hand. If India are unable to grab a couple of early wickets on the third day, then South Africa could take complete control by stretching their lead and taking it out of the visitors' reach.

SA 65-2 (20 ovs) & 286 vs India 209 | Scorecard

Shami comes back from the other end, replacing Ashwin as India look for another wicket or two before stumps.

The first ball beats Rabada as it passes close to the edge before he leaves alone the next three balls and then steers the fifth ball past point for two runs. Shami gets an edge off the last ball but it falls short of the slips.

Bhuvneshwar is called back from the other end, replacing wicket-taker Pandya. He had dismissed Hashim Amla in the first innings, who was caught behind after he chased a wide delivery.

Amla playing with a straight bat, trying to block everything bowled at him. But the last ball is on the pads which he flicks through midwicket for a four to get off the mark.

Shami to bowl the final over of the day. Rabada is beaten off the first ball before he clips the third ball to midwicket but Amla turns down the single before the left-hander blocks the rest of the over.

SA 59-2 (17 ovs) & 286 vs India 209 | Scorecard

With not much time left for stumps, South Africa send nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada at No. 3 to play out the remaining 20 minutes.

South Africa have two left-handers out in the middle as Kohli decides to bring in off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack.

Elgar gets the second ball through thirdman for two runs and then takes a single on the leg side.

Ashwin gets Rabada to edge one but it falls short of Kohli at slip, who dives and takes it on the bounce and immediately signals that it is not out.

Pandya bowls a half-volley on the pads to Elgar, who flicks it through midwicket for a four. But the pacer gets revenge three balls later as the opener goes chasing after a wide delivery and is caught behind for 25.

After his stunning innings with the bat, Pandya is now doing the job with the ball, picking up both the openers in his first four overs.

SA 52-1 (15 ovs) & 286 vs India 209 | Scorecard

Shami comes into the attack in place of Bumrah, who bowled four overs for 14 runs.

Elgar is beaten by one which moves away a touch, hitting him high on the pads before he takes a single from the last ball of the over.

Another change after the drinks break as Hardik Pandya is called into the attack.

Elgar taps the second ball on the off-side for one and Markram plays another beautiful drive through midwicket for a four followed by two runs off the last ball.

While Elgar has struggled against the pacers, Markram has played positively to stroke 29 from 36 balls to take the score to 34 for no loss in 11 overs.

Elgar's struggle continues as he throws his bat at a wide one but gets an edge which flies past Rohit at gully and goes for a four. The next ball is much closer to the stumps and straightens as Elgar is beaten, trying to defend it.

Elgar finally gets going with back to back boundaries off Shami, who drops short both times and gets pulled through midwicket.

Markram feeling confident enough as he drives Pandya on the up through the covers for a four to bring up South Africa's 50, in the 15th over.

Against the run of play, India strike with the wicket of Markram and it is that man again -- Hardik Pandya.

The right-hander, who was looking good on 34 from 43 balls, looks to flick Pandya through the leg side but gets a leading edge and is caught at point.

SA 26-0 (9 ovs) & 286 vs India 209 | Scorecard

Bhuvneshwar nearly gets Elgar in the same fashion as he did in the first innings, but this time the ball goes past the edge. He is beaten again off the next ball, but he manages to see off the rest of the over.

Bumrah drifts on the pads as Markram flicks a full delivery through midwicket for a four. A couple of deliveries later, he punches a wide delivery through the covers for a boundary as South Africa make a brisk start, scoring 21 from the first six overs.

The ball is not doing much as it was in the first innings and both openers look keen to make up for their failure.

Markram is beaten by a full delivery from Bhuvneshwar which moves away enough. But two balls later, he punches a short wide ball through the covers for a four to take the lead past the 100-run mark.

South Africa's openers have done well not to lose any wickets to take the score to 26 for no loss in nine overs.

SA 13-0 (4 ovs) & 286 vs India 209 | Scorecard

India will be fired up by their superb comeback courtesy of Pandya and a few early wickets will certainly boost their hopes further.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar opens the bowling for India as Aiden Markram carefully plays out the first over.

Jasprit Bumrah from the other end ahead of Mohammed Shami. Dean Elgar, who fell for a duck in the first innings, top edges the pull shot but Shami is pretty slow at mid-on and is unable to get to the ball and take the catch. That was certainly a chance!

He inside edges the next ball back on to his pads and plays an unsure shot three balls later.

Bhuvneshwar overpitches as Markram plays a nice drive through the covers for a four to get off the mark in some style. He looks to drive the next ball but this time Bhuvneshwar has got some extra bounce, to take the edge but it flies past the fielder in the gully for another boundary.

Elgar taps Bumrah on the leg side for a single before Markram inside edges the next ball for two runs on the leg side.

India 209-all out (73.4 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Hardik Pandya smashed a brilliant 93 to lead India's fine recovery and guide them to 209 in their first innings.

South Africa, who were bowled out for 286, grabbed a crucial 77-run first innings lead.

Pandya was instrumental in India's revival after they were reeling on 76 for five at one stage.

India were thankful to the young all-rounder for dragging them out of a hole as he smashed 14 fours and a six in his 95-ball knock, adding 99 runs for the eighth wicket with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (25).

Philander and Rabada picked up three wickets each, while Steyn and Morkel grabbed two each as the fast bowlers claimed all 10 wickets to fall.

With a healthy first innings lead, South Africa will look to continue their superiority with a good showing with the bat in remaining hour and half before stumps on Day 2.

India 209-all out (73.4 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Debutant Bumrah blocks a short ball from Morkel on the off-side for another single.

Morkel bowls another bouncer from round the stumps as Shami looks to pull but can't make proper connection.

Morkel bowls a couple of bouncers before he switches to over the wicket and places an additional fielder at short leg, having two men in helmets close in on the leg side.

Shami looks to pull a short ball but can't make connection and calmly defends the last ball of the over with a straight bat.

Bumrah showing great purpose with the bat. Rabada's short ball slides down the leg side as Bumrah picks four leg byes despite missing the glance.

Rabada bowls a yorker and Bumrah again does well to get his bat down in time before he confidently strides forward and blocks another full ball.

Shami is struggling against Morkel, who beats him quite a few times outside the off-stump. Shami finally gets some bat on ball as he has a big swing but gets a thick outside edge for a boundary through the vacant thirdman region for a four.

The last ball is full and outside the off-stump prompting Shami to throw his bat but he is beaten.

Rabada ends India's innings with the wicket of Bumrah, who is caught in the gully for two.

India 200-9 (70 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Rabada bowls a bouncer from round the stumps as Pandya walks across his stumps and tries to pull it fine but fails to make connection.

Pandya then makes room as the bouncer follows next ball and he somehow manages to avoid it. Three balls later, he tries the pull shot again but this time he misses and is hit on the box. He looks in some pain but decides to continue without calling for the physio and keeps strike with a single from the last ball.

In the next over, Pandya makes room and lofts Morkel over the off-side for a four to take his score into the 90s.

Morkel bowls a full delivery as Pandya gets into a tangle trying to keep out the delivery before he slaps a full toss to deep cover for two runs and pulls a short ball to deep square leg off the last ball for one to keep strike.

Rabada dashes Pandya's hopes of getting a century as he gets the right-hander caught behind for 93. Pandya tries to slash a short wide ball slanted across him but only manages an edge and wicketkeeper de Kock completes a regulation catch behind the stumps.

Pandya misses a deserved century but his stunning counter-attack has kept India in the contest. When he walked out to the middle, India were tottering on 76 for five following the dismissal of Pujara before Pandya in the company of Bhuvneshwar (25) scripted the turnaround.

Jasprit Bumrah is welcomed with a quick bouncer by Rabada, his first delivery in Tests, which he does well to avoid. He taps the second ball in the covers to collect a single and get off the mark in Test cricket and also brings up India's 200.

Mohammed Shami is beaten two balls in a row outside the off-stump before Rabada sprays the last ball down the leg side.

India 191-8 (67 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Morkel from round the stumps bowls a short ball on Pandya's body, who tries to pull but is beaten and wicketkeeper de Kock also fails to collect and gives away a bye.

Meanwhile, an update on Dale Steyn is that he has a bruised heel and he has not gone for a scan.

Morkel gets the breakthrough for South Africa with the wicket of Bhuvneshwar, who is caught behind after a good hand of 25.

He was crucial in India's spirited comeback in the post-lunch session, having added 99 runs for the eighth wicket with Pandya, who is unbeaten on 85.

India 190-7 (66 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Spinner Maharaj starts the post-tea session with the ball as Pandya takes a single from the fourth ball to fine leg.

Morne Morkel from the other end. Pandya is in some trouble with the short ball as he somehow avoids it and then keeps another bouncer down two balls later.

In the next over, Bhuvneshwar hits Maharaj through the off-side for a single and Pandya defends the last two balls.

Bhuvneshwar playing a few loose drives against Morkel, as he chases a wide delivery but is beaten. The last ball again beats the edge and the fielders behind the stumps appeal but the umpire is unmoved.

Pandya gets a thick outside edge off Maharaj which flies past the slip fielder for three runs and Bhuvneshwar defends the rest of the over.

India 185-7 (61 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Hardik Pandya blasted a quickfire half-century to lead India's superb comeback in the post-lunch session on Day 2 of the first Test.

Pandya smashed an unbeaten 81 from 68 balls, having hit 13 fours and a six, to lift India to 185-7 in 61 overs at the tea break.

He put an unbroken stand of 93 for the eighth wicket with Bhuvneshwar, who provided good support, scoring 24 from 65 balls.

For the first time in the match, India's batsmen were able to get on top of the South African pace attack as Pandya launched a sensational counter-attack, hitting regular boundaries.

India suffered at the start of the post-lunch session, losing three quick wickets but they managed to stay afloat courtesy of Pandya.

Pujara played a patient innings of 26 from 92 balls before he fell off the first delivery of the second session, caught in the slips off Philander, who also dismissed Ashwin (12).

Saha didn't last long as he was trapped leg before wicket for a duck by Steyn.

Pandya helped India take the initiative after those three wickets as the visitors scored 109 runs in 25 overs in the second session.

India will be feeling confident following the fightback as they trail South Africa by just 101 runs. If Pandya can hang around for an hour or so after the tea interval, then he will not only get his hundred but also take India close to the South African score.

India 185-7 (61 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Pandya turns Steyn on the leg side for a couple and then picks a single to mid-off to take his score into the 80s.

Bhuvneshwar is beaten outside the off-stump by Steyn, who then is struggling with his bowling shoes and has to go back in the dressing room in the middle of the over.

Philander comes in to complete the over, with three deliveries still remaining.

Bhuvneshwar gets a thick outside edge for two runs to thirdman and sees off the remaining two deliveries to end the post-lunch session.

A productive session the Indians as they made a good comeback courtesy of Pandya and good support from Bhuvneshwar.

India 180-7 (60 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Steyn comes back as he beats Bhuvneshwar with a good outswinger that goes past the edge. Two balls later, Bhuvneshwar gets the edge but it falls short of the fielder at third slip for a four followed by two more singles.

The field is well spread out as Pandya turns Maharaj on the leg side for a single and Bhuvneshwar plays out the rest of the over.

Pandya looks to have cut down on his strokes before Bhuvneshwar strokes a full delivery from Steyn through the covers for a four. The next ball is short as Bhuvi hammers it past point but gets just a single to the fielder in the deep.

Bhuvneshwar picks another couple off Maharaj to take India to 180 for seven in 60 overs.

India 165-7 (56 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Bhuvneshwar goes after a wide delivery from Rabada, looking to drive it on the up but is beaten. Two balls later, he taps it on the off-side for a single to get off the mark after 34 balls and gets a cheer from the crowd.

Pandya then cuts a short ball from the pacer and somehow manages to guide it over the wicketkeeper, even beating the fielder who is kept quite fine on the thirdman fence for a four.

And Pandya showed great maturity to steal a quick single from the last ball and keep strike.

A single each to the two batsmen before Pandya, who is waiting on the backfoot, pulls a short ball from Morkel through mdiwicket for a four to raise the 50-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Interestingly, Bhuvneshwar has contributed just two runs in the 50-run stand but he has hung out in the middle to support Pandya and that has been very important.

Bhuvneshwar shows his class as he drives a full delivery through the covers for a four. The next ball is on the pads and slightly short as Bhuvi clips it fine for another boundary as the runs start flowing for India.

Spin introduced for the first time by South Africa in this innings are the pacers are given a break.

And that is the opportunity Pandya was waiting as he goes for the left-arm spinner straightaway.

He turns the first ball on the leg side for two runs and then comes down the track and lofts it over midwicket for a six.

Pandya (71) chips down the track to the next ball and is beaten in the flight but wicketkeeper de Kock misses an easy stumping.

Two balls later, Pandya sweeps the spinner square on the leg side for another four to get 12 runs from the over.

India were struggling after they lost three quick wickets after the lunch interval before Pandya's stunning counter-attack has lifted their hopes.

India have scored 89 runs in 20 overs since the lunch break as compared to the slow going of 48 runs from 25 overs they managed in the morning session.

Pandya has smashed his way to 75 from 62 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six, while Bhuvneshwar has looked solid on 10 at the other end.

India 131-7 (52 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Rabada gets one to bounce steeply outside the off-stump as Pandya manages to keep it down and short of the slips. The next ball is a quick bouncer as the all-rounder ducks under it and then gets a single from the next ball.

The last ball is a full delivery down the leg side as Bhuvneshwar tries the glance but misses and gets four leg byes in the process.

Pandya finally connects with the ramp shot. He stays back, anticipating the bouncer from Morkel and merely guides it over the wicketkeeper for a four to race to 41 from 37 balls.

A few deliveries later, he throws his bat at a wide one and lofts it over the off-side for a couple of runs.

Morkel drops short as Pandya crashes it past point for a four to inch closer to his fifty and take the score to 127 for seven in 50 overs.

Bhuvneshwar is content to play the supporting role as Pandya gets about the business of scoring runs from the other end.

Bhuvi is yet to get off the mark from 30 balls, while Pandya has stroked 47 from 43 balls at the other end.

In the next over, Pandya chops Morkel over mid-off for a boundary to complete his fifty in commanding fashion, from just 47 balls, having slammed 10 fours in total.

Pandya's counter-attack has left South Africa stunned and thwarted their plans of bowling out India for around the 100-run mark.

Meanwhile, India would want Pandya to continue his attacking approach and help them score another 50-70 runs and ensure they don't concede too big a lead.

India 112-7 (48 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Pandya decides to take things in his hands as he smashes Philander over mid-off for a four. Two balls later, he steers a wide delivery past point for another boundary to bring up India's 100, in the 43rd over.

Pandya is looking to counter-attack, having already stroked his way to 24 from 20 balls, having hit five fours already.

Pandya then chips down the track and flicks Philander through midwicket for the third four of the over, which makes even Captain Kohli smile in the dressing room.

Rabada replaces Philander, who was hit for three overs in his previous over by Pandya. He takes a single off the first ball before Bhuvneshwar plays out the rest of the over.

Morkel replaces Steyn at the other end. He makes the mistake of pitching it up to Pandya, who crashes it through the covers for a four and then takes a single from the fifth ball.

Rabada produces a beauty to beat Pandya on the outside edge before he comes up with a similar delivery with lot of bounce and swing to beat the right-hander yet again.

The first hour of the second session has belonged to South Africa with India reduced to 112 for seven in 48 overs, losing three wickets for 36 runs.

India 92-7 (42 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Pandya punches a full delivery from Steyn straight down the ground past mid-off for a couple. The next ball is full and fast as Pandya is struck on the crease but hit high on back pad which saves him for the leg before appeal.

The third ball is full but on the pads as Pandya flicks it through midwicket for a four.

Steyn then tries a bouncer which doesn't rise much and Pandya attempts the ramp shot, and is lucky not to have edged it.

In his next over, Pandya is beaten by Steyn outside the off-stump as he goes for a drive through the covers. He gets an edge off the next ball but it goes along the ground past the slips for a four.

Pandya (15) then chases a wide delivery only to get an edge but Elgar in the gully puts down a sharp chance.

But Steyn strikes with the next ball as Saha is trapped leg before wicket for a duck. He offers no shot to one outside the off-stump only to see it jag back sharply and hit him in front of the stumps. Saha then reviews the decision but he had no chance once he decided too offer no shot.

South Africa have turned it on after the lunch break, taking three wickets for 16 runs as India slip to 92 for seven in 42 overs.

India 81-6 (39 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Pandya is beaten all ends up by a special delivery from Steyn, full and moving away as the right-hander plays down the inside line.

The next ball again moves away late as Pandya is squared up yet again and this time the Proteas appeal for caught behind which is upheld. Pandya immediately takes the DRS and rightly so with the ball having flicked his thighpad before being taken by the wicketkeeper.

Pandya shuffles across slightly and is nearly squared up again but he manages to block the full delivery.

That was a real testing over the master Steyn and Pandya does well to survive it.

Philander does it again in his next over. This time Ashwin is drawn into the drive and he gets the edge as wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock comes up with a stunning diving catch, taking it just in front of the first slip.

Ashwin walks back for 12 as India slip to 81 for six, still trailing South Africa by 205 runs.

India 81-5 (37 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Pacer Philander strikes immediately after the lunch break. Pujara plays a loose shot outside the off-stump, poking at a wide one only to get an edge and is caught in the slips for 26, off the very first ball of the second session.

Pujara showed so much patience in the morning session and never went after anything wide but immediately after the break, he played an uncharacteristic poke away from his body.

Hardik Pandya averages nearly 60 with the bat and he makes a nervous start. Philander gets another edge but this time the ball goes along the ground past the slips for a four. He taps the next ball on the leg side and picks a quick single.

Not the start that India would have wanted as it exposes the tailenders against a fresh South African bowling attack after the break.

India 76-4 (36 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

South Africa maintained their stranglehold as they reduced India to 76 for four in 36 overs at lunch on Day 2 of the first Test.

Cheteshwar Pujara battled hard to be unbeaten on 26 from 91 balls, while Ravichandran Ashwin was not out in 12.

It was tough going for India in the morning against the South African pace quartet. The visitors managed just 48 runs from 25 overs, while losing the wicket of Rohit in the morning session.

Rohit, who made 11, was dismissed leg before wicket by Rabada, who gave the Indians quite a few problems with his extra pace and bounce.

Pujara and Rohit played cautiously as their fourth-wicket partnership yielded just 30 runs from 121 balls as India were never allowed to break free.

South Africa are in control and a few quick wickets after the lunch interval could see them dismiss India cheaply.

For India, the key would not only be survival but also scoring some runs and take their total somewhere close to the 200-run mark.

India 76-4 (36 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

This is relentless attack from the four South African pacers as India continue to battle with the bat.

Pujara defends the first three balls and then takes a single from the fourth. And no surprise that Ashwin gets a short ball which he leaves alone before he defends the next one with soft hands and takes a quick single.

After troubling Ashwin with short balls, Rabada bowls two full ones to the right-hander, who takes a single from the second ball.

Rabada bowls a beauty to Pujara, who tries to defend but the extra bounce and some movement sees it beat the bat.

In the next over, Ashwin shuffles across and flicks a full delivery from Morkel through square leg for a four. He gets a thick outside edge off the fourth ball but it falls short of the fielder at point before he blocks the last ball comfortably.

Pujara guides a wide delivery from Rabada past the slips and the gully fielder for a four. He slaps the next ball through the off-side for a single as Rabada has a few words with him after he completes the run.

Steyn comes back, taking over from Morkel as the pace barrage continues from the Proteas. Pujara continues to defend solidly before he takes a single from the fifth ball.

With lunch around the corner, Pujara looks to have shut shop and is again back to defending with soft hands as he plays out the over from Rabada.

Steyn to bowl the final over of the session. Ashwin looks to clip the first ball through the leg side but gets a leading edge which falls safely on the off-side for two runs.

Steyn tries the bouncer and Ashwin goes for the pull but is lucky that he didn't connect with two men out on the boundary for the top edge.

However, he survives as India go into the lunch break at 76 for four in 36 overs.

India 61-4 (29 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Morkel bowls a full delivery on the pads as Pujara flicks him through square leg for a four to get some much needed runs for India.

In the next over, Rabada induces the edge from Rohit but it flies past the slips for a four. Two balls later he has a shout for caught behind turned down as Rohit survives again.

Pujara, meanwhile, looks solid and makes most of another loose ball from Morkel as he glances him fine for another four.

Rabada makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Rohit, who is given out leg before wicket for 11. The pacer beat Rohit with the incoming delivery who was half forward and hit in line with the stumps.

He takes the DRS after consulting his partner Pujara, but the ball is going on to hit the stumps and the decision stays.

A hard toil for Rohit, who managed just 11 runs from 59 balls with a single boundary.

Ravichandran Ashwin gets a deadly one first up, short and on the body as it hits him on the right gloves. The physio comes out to attend Ashwin, who seems to have sustained a painful blow on his bowling hand but he is fit to continue.

The next ball as expected is another bouncer on the body as Ashwin fends it awkwardly, trying to save himself as the ball goes fine past the fielder at leg slip for a four.

The last ball is a yorker as Ashwin shuffles across but misses the flick with the ball going wide of the stumps.

India 45-3 (25 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Rohit struggling against Philander in the last couple of overs, with the pacer managing to drag him into the drive and then beats him with the outward movement.

But credit to Rohit, for showing the fight to survive and resist playing his natural game of looking for runs and hitting boundaries regularly.

Philander sends down his fifth maiden over of the day to continue his superb showing with the ball on Day 2.

The first change in the bowling as Morne Morkel comes into the attack to replace Steyn, who bowled a good spell of five overs.

Pujara takes a single off the second ball on the leg side before Rohit attempts the pull shot but the extra bounce sees him hit on the gloves but it falls safely on the leg side and gets him two runs.

Meanwhile, Philander continues as Pujara takes a single off the fourth ball, for the first runs off the pacer in his sixth over of the day.

Pujara gets an inside edge off Morkel but the deflection goes on to the pads and he tries to turn the next ball on the leg side but is beaten.

The first hour has been a testing one for the Indians but they will be happy to have seen it off and survived a fiery spell from the pacers to reach 45 for three in 24 overs.

But there will be no respite for the Indians as Kagiosa Rabada will come in shortly after a long spell from Philander.

And Rabada it is, who comes after the first drinks break. He bowls a beauty, bounce and movement as Rohit is beaten all ends up before he taps the ball at his feet and looks for a quick run but Pujara is not interested.

India 41-3 (20 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Rohit ends the sequence of maiden overs as he steers Steyn past point for a couple for the first runs of the day.

Three balls later, he punches a slightly short ball through the covers and rushes back for the third.

Rohit is looking quite solid against the two senior pacers. This is a big Test for him in terms of justifying his inclusion ahead of the dependable Ajinkya Rahane.

He watchfully defends the over from Philander as the pacer sends down his third maiden in a row.

Steyn attempts a short ball but Pujara has nothing to do with it. Pujara's patience finally pays off as Steyn comes much closer to the stumps and the right-hander clips it through square leg for the first four of the day.

Rohit plays a loose shot, hanging his bat to a wide away going delivery from Philander and is beaten. The next ball is closer to the stumps as Rohit is all opened up with the ball moving away late to beat the edge and also the stumps. That is a top delivery!

Philander beats Rohit again with the fifth ball outside the off-stump before he blocks the last ball on the off-side.

Steyn bowls a bouncer to Pujara, who ducks under it. The next ball is on the pads as Pujara misses the flick but the ball hits the pads and goes fine for four leg byes.

India have done well to see off the first 40-45 minutes to reach 41 for three in 20 overs with Pujara on nine and Rohit on five.

India 28-3 (15 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Dale Steyn to open the bowling for South Africa on Day 2 and facing him is Rohit Sharma, who has the perfect opportunity to play a big innings and prove his credentials at the Test level.

Rohit is watchful to begin the second day as he carefully plays out the first over from Steyn.

Vernon Philander from the other end. Pujara looking to defend everything with soft hands, not poking his bat at wide ones, forcing the bowler to come close to him.

He dead bats one right down at his toes and looks for a quick single before deciding against it and clips the last ball on the leg side but can't find the gap.

The ball is not doing much as it was on start of Day 1 and both Rohit and Pujara looking to see off the early overs, without trying anything fancy.

Survival is the need of the hour and run scoring will take a backseat for the first 60-90 minutes atleast.

Steyn bowls another tight over, sticking to a good line outside the off-stump and Rohit is up to the task as he carefully plays out the third straight maiden over.

Philander gets one to jag back with some extra bouncer as Pujara is hit on the gloves in his attempt to defend.

South Africa won't mind this as India are only defending at the moment as both Philander and Styen bowl four maiden overs on the trot.

India 27-3 (9 ovs) vs SA 286 | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the first Test between India and South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.

India will need a huge effort from their remaining two specialist batsmen as they seek to make a comeback after a few early wickets late on the first day.

Veteran pacer Dale Steyn grabbed his first Test wicket after an injury absence of 14 months as the hosts fought back against a fired-up India on an enthralling first day of cut-and-thrust cricket.

Steyn took his career tally to 418 wickets, three behind South African record-holder Shaun Pollock, as India were reduced to 28 for three at the close having bowled out the hosts for 286 on a spicy wicket offering bounce and some sideways movement.

Cheteshwar Pujara (five) and Rohit Sharma (zero) will resume on the second day as the tourists, who trail by 258, seek an answer to the venom in the pitch and the home seam attack.

Steyn, who had missed the last 15 Tests with a career-threatening shoulder injury, caught and bowled dangerous opener Shikhar Dhawan for 16 with a quick bouncer that suggested he had lost none of his pace.

India also lost Murali Vijay for one, caught by Dean Elgar at gully off Vernon Philander, while Morne Morkel claimed the wicket of visiting captain Virat Kohli, who played at a rising delivery outside off-stump and was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for five.