AFP, Johannesburg :
India lost both opening batsmen inside the first nine overs as they endured a torrid start to the third and final Test against South Africa on Wednesday.
India were 45 for two at lunch after Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat on a hard, well-grassed pitch in cool, overcast conditions at the Wanderers Stadium.
Kohil has called for his players to restore pride after South Africa clinched the three-match series last week.
The captain was 24 not out and Cheteshwar Pujara had five, enabling their side to recover from 13 for two but it was tough going against South Africa’s fast bowlers.
Kohli had a lucky escape when he was dropped by Vernon Philander at mid-off when he mistimed a pull against Kagiso Rabada when he had 11.
Philander’s fielding error spoiled an otherwise outstanding morning in his 50th Test after he bowled an opening spell of one wicket for one run in eight overs.
Seven runs, including a no-ball came off the first over, bowled by Morne Morkel, but it did not take long for the bowlers to put severe pressure on the batsmen. Philander made the first breakthrough when Lokesh Rahul was caught behind for nought off an inside edge in the fourth over.
Rabada, coming on as first change in the ninth over, struck with his fourth delivery when Murali Vijay drove at a fuller ball and was caught behind for eight.
Pujara, who took 54 balls to score his first run, faced 31 deliveries from Philander and was beaten several times as Philander moved the ball both ways off the seam with immaculate control.
