CAPE TOWN: India opener Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed four wickets as the tourists made further inroads into South Africa's batting lineup to leave the hosts on 230 for seven at tea on the opening day of the first test at Newlands on Friday.
Kumar led from the front with a devastating opening spell that handed India the early upper hand as they had South Africa reeling on 12-3 only for the home side to counter punch with half centuries from AB de Villiers and captain Faf du Plessis.
Keshav Maharaj (23) and Kagiso Rabada (1) were not out at tea as South Africa looked for a contribution from the tail to take them over past 300 in their first innings despite the top order being devastated.
Kumar took a wicket in each of his opening three overs, as he snagged opener Dean Elgar with the third ball of the day and then had Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla dismissed cheaply in the next two overs.
He also had Quinton de Kock caught behind for the sixth wicket and went to tea with figures of 4-68.
India's early impetus was ended by a 114-run partnership for the fourth wicket between De Villiers and Du Plessis, who attacked the Indian bowlers and punished loose deliveries.
De Villiers reached his 50 off 55 deliveries before being bowled by debutant Jasprit Bumrah after lunch for 65 runs.
Du Plessis scored 62 before flashing at a wide delivery and handing all-rounder Hardik Pandya his first wicket of the three-match series.
Vernon Philander and De Kock continued to push the run rate past four per over before the latter went for 43 off 40 balls and Philander was bowled by Mohammed Shami for 23.
South Africa won the toss with Du Plessis gambling on batting first, arguing the wicket was soft early on and would only get quicker later in the day as it dried out.
But he looked to have misread the condition of the wicket and handed India the opportunity for a bright start to the clash between the top ranked test-playing teams.
South Africa host India in three tests this month with the next two to be played in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
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