NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah finally got his reward for a probing morning spell by removing Aiden Markram with the last delivery of the first session as South Africa reached 82 for 1 at tea against India on the opening day of the second Test in Guwahati.

Bumrah tested both Markram (38) and Ryan Rickleton (35*) with a probing spell, keeping the pair under pressure. Pair survived the early overs largely due to a regulation catch dropped by KL Rahul at second slip when Markram was on six.

Openers look solid before first wicket falls

Just when it appeared the Proteas opening pair had settled, Bumrah bowled a full delivery and Markram, attempting an expansive drive, was bowled. Towards the end of the first session, deliveries from Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar did turn and bounce a little, but the relatively good batting surface made scoring easier for the openers.

There was no sign of uneven bounce early on, but Bumrah made good use of lateral movement. He repeatedly challenged the outside edges of both batsmen, while Siraj troubled Rickleton with deliveries that angled away from the left-hander.

Sharp off-cutters from Bumrah tested Markram, and although a straightening delivery initially produced a dropped catch, the pacer eventually broke through.

Indian skipper Rishabh Pant introduced Nitish Reddy at drinks and switched ends post-break. Reddy’s bowling was steady but lacked menace, and Pant’s ‘in-out’ field with three slips, deep point, and deep square leg made scoring easier for the openers.

Once the pitch dried, Markram played some flowing drives, with a punch through covers off Reddy among the highlights of the session. Rickleton, meanwhile, punished deliveries from Siraj and Reddy that strayed down the leg side, keeping South Africa well-positioned at tea.

(With PTI Inputs)