South Africa vs India 2018, 1st Test: Hits and misses

Hit: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Faf du Plessis won the toss and took a tricky decision to bat first on a well-grassed pitch in Capetown on Friday morning.

Little did the South African skipper know that his top-order batsmen were about to be crippled, courtesy an exhilarating new-ball opening spell of swing bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Right from the outset, the Indian pacer meant business as he claimed wickets in each of his first three overs in a dream start on the first day at Newlands.

The right-hander, who has gained pace over the last few months without losing on the swing, dismissed Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla to leave the hosts in tatters on 12/3 after five overs.

Bhuvneshwar became only the third bowler to take three wickets in the first three overs of an overseas series since 2001 after James Franklin and Pat Cummins.

The 27-year-old was handy with the bat as well and stitched up a 99-run partnership with Hardik Pandya to ensure India's recovery in the first innings.

In the second innings, Bhuvneshwar claimed two wickets and ended the first Test with the figures of 5-120.