Pujara, Kohli take India to 70/2 (Lunch report)

Johannesburg, Dec 18 (IANS) Cheteshwar Pujara (18) and Virat Kohli (32) survived the onslaught of South African speedsters Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, taking India to 70 for two at lunch on day one of the first Test at the Wanderers here Wednesday.

The promising Indian pair showed some fight braving a fiery spell from Steyn and Morkel after openers Shikhar Dhawan (13) and Murali Vijay (6) were sent packing in the first hour.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to bat in sunny conditions with his team out to prove a point after being outplayed in the one-day series.

Steyn once again looked threatening from ball one before striking in his fifth over, using the short ball tactic to remove Dhawan.

Vijay too struggled against high quality pace bowling. His 42-ball innings ended after he fished at a full length ball outside off stump with keeper Ab de Villiers doing the rest, giving Morkel his first wicket of the day.

Kohli and Pujara dealt with the hostile attack in contrasting fashion. Pujara played the waiting game scoring 18 off 61 balls while Kohli struck a run a ball including five fours.

Meanwhile, Dhoni became the first Indian to captain in 50 Tests with the start of the match.