India vs South Africa: Ashwin's three, lively fielding drive India's fightback on day 1 of Centurion Test

India made three changes with wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, opener KL Rahul and pacer Ishant Sharma coming in for Wriddhiman Saha, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. | BCCI

On a day when the Indian pacers failed to make much of a dent on an easy-paced wicket, Aswhin (3/90) emerged as the most successful bowler as he dismissed Markram (94), Dean Elgar (31) and Quinton de Kock (0). | AP

The hosts were going strong with Amla (82) anchoring the Proteas innings after Markram, playing on his home ground, missed out on a well-deserved century by a whisker. | AP

South Africa's batsman Aiden Markram, left, is embraced by India's captain Virat Kohli as he leaves the field after dismissed for 94 runs during the first day of the second cricket test match between South Africa and India. | AP

India's captain Virat Kohli, foreground right, reacts after making a catch to dismiss South Africa's batsman Quinton de Kock‚ middle, for a duck during the first day of the second cricket test match between South Africa and India at Centurion Park in Pretoria, South Africa. | AP

South Africa's batsman Hashim Amla‚ is run out by India's Hardik Pandya, for 82 runs. | AP

Jasprit Bumrah (0-57) was unimpressive in his spell, unable to find the right line to attack the batsmen. | AP

India's Hardik Pandya, right, throws the ball to run out South Africa's batsman Hashim Amla‚ as teammate Faf du Plessis‚ left, runs home safe during the first day of the second cricket test match between South Africa and India at Centurion Park. | AP

Amla and AB de Villiers (20) took their third wicket partnership to 51 runs. South Africa crossed 200 in the 64th over, but not before losing de Villiers as he played on off Ishant Sharma (1-32), who got just reward for his toiling spells. | AP

India's Hardik Pandya, second from right, celebrates with teammates after running out South Africa's batsman Hashim Amla‚ for 82 runs during the first day of the second cricket test match. | AP