Pujara and Kohli scored half centuries for India.
After taking the bold call to bat after winning the toss; India failed to put a big score on board. Only Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara managed to stand up to the pace and seam movement of South African bowlers, as India folded up for 187.
However, Cheteshwar Pujara, who took 54 balls for making his first run, felt that the total of 187 was equivalent to 300 on this pitch.
He said, “It was one of the toughest pitches I have batted on and I really had to work hard to score some runs,” he told SuperSport after the close of play. To be honest, I think we batted well. With the number of runs we have on the board, we think we can bowl them out for less.”
“There was a lot of deviation … as the game progresses it will get harder to bat on,” Pujara further explained.
“I never felt in on this pitch. If we bowl well, we have a very good chance. It’s as good as scoring 300 on any normal pitch. Our bowlers are used to bowling better lengths than the South Africans did,” he concluded.