South Africa vs India 2018: 1st Test, Day 1 - 5 things we learnt from the day

#3 AB de Villiers' counter-attacks to reverse the trend

AB de Villiers reinstated the belief that 'class is permanent'

Out of Test cricket for more than a year, AB de Villiers had returned to the fold with a half-century against Zimbabwe in the four-day Boxing Day Test but with South Africa at 12/3 on day 1 against India, they needed their big shot batsman to take the attack by the teeth. And what does the Superman do?

He decides to take on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India's best bowler on display and thrashed him four boundaries in an over to transfer the pressure back onto the visitors. In no time, the gear and momentum had shifted and South Africa were cruising with Du Plessis holding one end up and de Villiers going hammer and tongs.

He notched up his half-century before the lunch break and was a breath-taking treat to watch. He was, however, cleaned up by Jasprit Bumrah shortly after lunch.