Day 1 belonged to the hosts as India reduced South Africa to a score of 265 at stumps with all South Africans back in the pavillion. Earlier Graeme Smith won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. The openers started in a solid fashion as they did in the previous 2 matches. Smith and McKenzie added 50 runs in no time. With Kumble missing the game, this gave young Piyush Chawla an opportunity and he grabbed it with both the hands. He sent opener McKenzie(36) back who tried to step down the crease and hit him for six and was completely deceived in the flight. The visitors were well placed at 80 for 1 during lunch.
The post lunch session saw Smith completing his half century and was playing well along with Amla. A lapse in concentration saw his downfall as Smith departed for a well made 69 runs, caught at short leg to the part time spinner Yuvraj. Amla went on to complete his half century before he got a beauty from Ishant which clipped the top of off stump. Kallis got a viscous turning delivery from Harbhajan and was clean bowled for just 1.The visitors then slumped to 175 for 4 at tea. The post tea session was even worse for the visitors. They were losing wickets at regular intervals of time. Both Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan claimed three wickets each.
With resistances from Boucher and Prince the visitors managed to get to a score of 265. However experts feel that 265 might be a good first innings score.
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