Zaheer got India off to a splendid start as he took two quick wickets early on. Prince was unlucky to be given out caught behind while replays suggested that it went off his arm guard. Zak bowled a beauty to send Smith back to the hut and SA were put on the backfoot right away.

Kallis came in and looked to rebuild the innings with Amla giving him good company. The South Africans paced the innings beautifully after the loss of two wickets and Kallis got to his 53rd Test fifty minutes before the Lunch break.

Things were just as eventful half an hour before the first ball was bowled. VVS Laxman lost the fitness race, his last-minute replacement Rohit Sharma injured himself playing football, and India had to give Bengal wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha a Test debut as a specialist batsman. (more…)