Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, India captain Dean Elgar had the hosts reeling at 45/7 on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. In the morning session, Mohammed Siraj, a right-arm seamer, achieved career-best numbers and looked dominant.
A playful moment was also captured during the hard cricket practice when star India batsman Virat Kohli was seen greeting spinner Keshav Maharaj in a distinctive way. Remarkably, with only 34 runs scored for South Africa, Maharaj walked into the bat after the sixth wicket fell and Marco Jansen went back to the pavilion.
The holy song “Ram Siya Ram” was played upon his arrival, as is customary, and Kohl, who was fielding in the slips, was seen striking the famous Lord Rama bow and arrow posture. The star batter grinned, assumed the same stance once more, and joined his hands in prayer to the Almighty.
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Virat Kohli doing Lord Rama’s “Dhanush” pose when Keshav Maharaj coming to bat and Ram Siya Ram playing in the background. What a beautiful moment! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/chFIc631eC
— अक्षित 🚩 (@akshit_aman) January 3, 2024
Getting back to the game, South African openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram scored five runs in the first three overs despite getting off to a cautious start. At third slip, Siraj forced Markram to edge one straight to Yashasvi Jaiswal, dealing South Africa their first blow.
Within the following over, the right-arm seamer managed to get Dean Elgar to hack one back onto his stumps, adding to his collection of huge fish. On the other side, rookie Tristan Stubbs was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah after he was caught in the short leg. As Siraj at the other end removed Tony de Zorzi (2), David Bedingham (12), Kyle Verreynne (15), and Marco Jansen (0) to record his greatest bowling figures in Tests of 6/15, there was no stopping him.
To bundle out the Proteas for 55, Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) and Mukesh Kumar (2/0) each claimed two wickets.
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