The final Test of the Freedom Series 2017-18 has been commenced in Johannesburg between South Africa and India. But the first day of this Test doesn’t witness a different tale as Team India finished the day one on backfoot.

Despite winning the toss and having Ajinkya Rahane in the playing XI, the fortune of the visiting team hasn’t changed. The South African fast-bowling line-up was on fire since the word ‘Go’ and they send opener KL Rahul back in the hut in no time.

Murali Vijay didn’t contribute with his bat and threw his wicket away to Kagiso Rabada. However, Captain Virat Kohli held the forte from there on along with Cheteshwar Pujara, who was neglected every effort, which was made to get rid of him. He finally opened his run count on the 54th ball and played 179 balls for his 50-run innings.

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On the other end, Kohli was lucky during his 54-run knock as he got two life-lines throughout his innings, but his luck ended after he notched up his fifty. Comeback man Rahane was also lucky as Vernon Philander overstepped on the ball he edged him to the keeper.

However, poor shot selection led a poor downfall for Team India as their first innings finished inside the day one on 187.

South Africa played tricky 6 overs before the stumps, where Bhuvneshwar Kumar got a wicket after playing a cameo down the order with his bat. Aiden Markram was the 11th wicket of the day as he pocked a ball outside off stump to Parthiv Patel.

India will be eyeing to utilize the opening hour of day two, where moisture will remain on the surface along with grass.