India vs South Africa: Game is in the balance, batters will have to grind, says Rabada

CAPE TOWN: South Africa may have bowled India out for 223 in their first innings but ace speedster Kagiso Rabada on Tuesday said their batters will have to dig deep to win the series-deciding third Test.

India got the important wicket of South African skipper Dean Elgar cheaply (3) towards the close of play as the hosts reached 17 for one at stumps on the opening day with Aiden Markram (8) and night-watchman Keshav Maharaj (6) in the middle.

"The game is in the balance. Obviously, we would have liked to win the toss. But we did well to restrict them for 223 but we are going to have to bat well," Rabada said in the media interaction after the day's play.

"I think our biggest strength is that we're just relentless and resilient and that forced us to learn quickly. You're always going to learn when you're playing opposition. So I think that holds us in good stead for the future."

Talking about the conditions, he said: "There's still quite a bit on that wicket. We don't have any control over the conditions. It looks like a perfect Test wicket where batters have to grind. I think it's not going to change much tomorrow."

Playing in his 50th Test, Rabada was outstanding with figures of 4/73 which included the prized scalp of India captain Virat Kohli (79).

1/10:Kohli stands tall amidst ruins

<p>Indian captain Virat Kohli made a resolute 79 but bowlers dominated the first day of the series-deciding third Test against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday. (Reuters Photo)</p>

2/10:Bumrah gets rid of Elgar

<p>India were bowled out for 223 but hit back when Jasprit Bumrah claimed the wicket of South African captain Dean Elgar shortly before the close. South Africa finished the day on 17 for one. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</p>

3/10:India lose openers cheaply

<p>The Indian batsmen struggled after Kohli won the toss and decided to bat under an overcast sky on a well-grassed pitch which offered seam movement for the South African fast bowlers. (Reuters Photo)</p>

4/10:Rabada shines in his 50th Test

<p>Kagiso Rabada, playing in his 50th Test, took four for 73 and eventually won an enthralling duel with Kohli when the Indian captain was ninth man out. Left-arm fast bowling discovery Marco Jansen took three for 55. (AFP Photo)</p>

5/10:Kohli defies SA bowlers

<p>Kohli defied the bowlers for more than four hours in facing 201 balls. He was involved in the only significant partnerships of the innings, 62 for the third wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara (43) and 51 for the fifth wicket with Rishabh Pant (27). (Reuters Photo)</p>

6/10:Gritty Kohli scores fighting fifty

<p>Without a century in his previous 14 Tests, Kohli was clearly determined to make a major contribution on a day when most of his teammates struggled. Refusing to be tempted into playing any rash shots, Kohli was content to leave the majority of the balls he faced early in his innings. It took him 15 balls to score his first runs, a sweetly-timed cover drive for four off Marco Jansen. (Reuters Photo)</p>

7/10:Rabada eventually trumps Kohli

<p>Kohli hit 12 fours as well as a hooked six off Rabada. His battle with Rabada provided the most compelling cricket of the day with the South African fast bowler beating him outside the off stump on several occasions and inducing an edge which fell just short of Aiden Markram at second slip. (AFP Photo)</p>

8/10:Jansen continues his good run

<p>Jansen, who took 12 wickets in the first Test, again made an impact, breaking the blossoming third wicket partnership, forcing Pujara to push at a ball which moved away after earlier producing a delivery which nipped back at the batsman. Jansen also ended the stand between Kohli and Pant, having the wicketkeeper caught by Keegan Petersen at gully. (Reuters Photo)</p>

9/10:Bumrah strikes for India on Day 1

<p>The teams are locked at 1-1 in the three-match series after South Africa won the second Test in Johannesburg by seven wickets. The Indian bowlers had eight overs before the close to get at the South African openers. Bumrah responded in superb style bowling four maidens and picking up the crucial wicket of Elgar. (AFP Photo)</p>

10/10:Skipper Elgar departs early

<p>The South African captain Elgar, who guided his team to victory in Johannesburg last week with a defiant 96 not out, made only three before he was forced onto the back foot and edged Bumrah to Pujara at first slip. (AFP Photo)</p>

In Pics: Kohli resolute as South Africa claim first day honours in third Test

"I wouldn't say a perfect day, very seldom you get a perfect day. I had a good day and things went my way.

"Generally, what we try to do is to be as consistent as possible going into every game. Just tried to do the same things, nothing changed.

"Today things went my way. I think I'm feeling good about the way I bowled. I was feeling decent out there," he said.

Rabada had a riveting battle with the Indian skipper, who faced 55 of his deliveries and scored 24 runs, including three boundaries, before getting out to the pacer.

Battle against Kohli

Rabada said the plan was to bowl straight or swing away from the Indian captain.

"The plan was to bowl a good line and length. It was pretty obvious to try to swing away as he was going out that way. He was very patient at leaving the ball. He batted extremely well, well done to him."

Jansen has got the X-Factor

Rabada got fine support from rookie left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who snared 3/55 in his third Test appearance.

"He's got a burning desire to play here. He's got the x-factor. He's got a tough character, that's the first thing you look for in a cricketer. The natural talent is there and he has the ability to win matches. He's an exciting prospect for South Africa," Rabada said of Jansen.