India vs South Africa 2nd Test, Day 1: Vijay and Pujara put India in control

A second-wicket century stand between Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara put India in control before bad light forced an early finish to the first day of second Test against South Africa on Thursday.

On a lifeless wicket, India reached 181 for one without much drama at Kingsmead after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat, managing to blunt the much-vaunted South African attack on a ground where the home side have lost their last four test matches.

Vijay will resume on day two at 91 and Pujara on 58, the pair sharing a stand of 140 having made batting look comfortable before the players left the field for bad light just after tea with 61 overs bowled.

The pitch is slow, with only Morne Morkel (one for 26) managing to unduly trouble the batsmen by extracting some bounce from the wicket.

Morkel passed a late fitness test, which South Africa captain Graeme Smith described as a "miracle" as the big fast bowler recovered from an ankle ligament strain picked up in the first Test in Johannesburg that finished in a draw on Sunday.

The only wicket to fall was that of opener Shikhar Dhawan (29) as Morkel came around the wicket to the left-hander and had him caught at third slip by Alviro Petersen with the India score on 41.

Dale Steyn once again battled to find his best form and has now bowled 408 deliveries since taking his last wicket, that of Dhawan in the first innings in Johannesburg. His career average is a wicket every seven overs.

South Africa made one change to their starting line-up, replacing leg-spinner Imran Tahir with Robin Peterson, but he has gone wicketless in 12 overs and conceded 43 runs.

India also swapped slow bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja coming in for Ravichandran Ashwin.

This Test will be the 166th and last for South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who made his debut against England at this ground in 1995.

EVENING SESSION

Match has been stopped due to bad light. Umpires in the middle to assess the situation. Ind 181-1 in 61 overs.

Vijay enters his 90s. It would be a great day for him to put India on top and get a century. Ind 179-1 in 56 overs.

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara have put India in total control as the visitors made 163 for one in 53 overs at tea on the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Durban.

While Vijay was unbeaten on 76, Pujara was 55 not out as the duo shared an unbroken 122-run partnership for the second wicket.

South Africa were lucky with just one wicket of Shikhar Dhawan who scored 29 before falling to Morkel.

AFTERNOON SESSION

A lovely drive from Pujara off Petersen to the boundary and he gets his half century in style. Ind 159-1 in 51.1 overs.

Pujara needs just one run to reach to his half century. But runs not coming easy for them. Good pace from Steyn. Ind 155-1 in 51 overs.

The partnership between Vijay and Pujara crosses 100. Ind 148-1 in 45 overs.

Not many runs coming for India. Looks like they are taking it easy till tea. Ind 137-1 in 42 overs.

A fine boundary and Vijay gets a brilliant half century. Ind 121-1 in 34 overs.

100 comes up for India. Ind 104-1 in 30 overs.

Partnership crosses 50 with Vijay on 34. South Africa desperate for a wicket as India eye a good score for the first day. Ind 96-1 in 29 overs.

MORNING SESSION

South Africa paceman Morne Morkel recovered from an ankle injury just in time to be fit for the second and final Test against India and took the only wicket on the opening morning as the tourists reached 76 for one at lunch on Thursday.

After India won the toss and elected to bat, Morkel removed opener Shikhar Dhawan (29) coming round the wicket as the left-hander was pouched at third slip by Alviro Petersen.

Proteas captain Graeme Smith conceded at the toss it was a "miracle" that Morkel had recovered from an ankle ligament strain in time to play and he looked the most dangerous of the home bowlers in the opening session.

Morkel used his height to generate extra bounce on a wicket that otherwise holds little cheer for the fast bowlers.

Murali Vijay (33 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (13 not out) will resume in the afternoon session on a sweltering day in Durban and Smith will have to rotate his bowlers four days the thrilling draw in the Johannesburg test.

Morkel (one for 14) was the pick of the home attack, while Vernon Philander, now ranked the number one test bowler in the world, sent down four maidens in a row as he conceded 12 runs in his seven overs without tasting success.

Dale Steyn, who gave away 21 runs in six overs, was loose early in his first spell as he continued to battle with his rhythm.

South Africa made one change to their starting line-up, replacing Imran Tahir with Robin Peterson. India also swapped slow bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja coming in for Ravichandran Ashwin.

This Test will be the 166th and last for South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who made his debut against England at this ground in 1995.

South African pacers are getting the bounce and pace but Indian batsmen have stil managed to keep them at bay. Great work from Vijay and Pujara. Ind 71-1 in 25 overs.

Pujara is watchful as ever. Playing a cautious innings, he is stitching together an important partnership with Vijay, who looks well settled. Ind 56-1 in 20 overs.

The crowd is applauding as Kallis comes into bowl. Lot of banners and placards thanking him for his contribution. Ind 44-1 in 15 overs.

South Africa get their first victim. Morkel bowls around and tastes success in the very first ball as Dhawan departs. Ind 41-1 in 13.1 overs.

S Dhawan c Petersen b Morkel 29 (49b 4x4 0x6)

Indian openers going smooth with Dhawan frequently dealing in boundaries. Steyn at his brilliant best but with no much success. Ind 38-0 in 10 overs.

Dhawan and Vijay are looking confident as they play some positive shots. Steyn is testing them real hard. Ind 23-0 in 5 overs.

Steyn prepares to bowl. Shikar Dhawan and Murali Vijay open for India. But the focus will be on Jacques Kallis who announced his retirement from all forms of the game. Ind 5-0 in 1 over.

Left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has replaced Ravichandran Ashwin while Robin Peterson has come in for Tahir.

PLAYING XI

South Africa - Graeme Smith, Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel
   
India - Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami

India have won the toss and will bat first.

India are aiming for history in the second and final Test against South Africa which begins on Thursday in Durban.

The match has been overshadowed by the announcement that South Africa's Jacques Kallis, the greatest all-rounder of his era, will retire from Test and first-class cricket after the Boxing Day match.

India have never won a Test series in South Africa but they are on a high after escaping with a draw after one of the greatest days in Test cricket at the Wanderers.

The Proteas are at a loss to explain their miserable run at one of the country's premier Test grounds, where they have not won since beating West Indies in 2008.

Australia, England, India and Sri Lanka have all enjoyed handsome triumphs in Durban over the world's top ranked Test team.

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