Morne Morkel troubles hosts at Nagpur

An impressive three-wicket display from Morne Morkel ensured that South Africa didn't miss an injured Dale Steyn on the first day of the third Test match against India being played in Nagpur on Wednesday.

India's captain, Virat Kohli, won the toss and opted to bat first on a dry spinner-friendly surface. His openers, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, got their side off to a solid start and added their second consecutive half-century stand of the series.

But the opening partnership was the highlight of India's batting effort, as the hosts lost six wickets for just 75 runs after Dean Elgar dismissed Dhawan in the 14th over.

When Morkel returned for his second spell, he bowled fuller lengths and was immediately a greater threat than he had been with the new ball.

Vijay was his first victim. The right hander was hit on the knee roll by the fullest delivery Morkel had bowled until then, one that straightened and kept so low, rendering it unplayable.

Pujara and Kohli took India to 85 for 2 at lunch, but South Africa were accurate after the break and struck regularly.

Simon Harmer, who ended with figures of four for 78 runs, made the most of the surface and dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara for 21.

Morkel, in the post-lunch session, troubled India's batsmen. He first breached Ajinkya Rahane's defences with an impressive in swinger, which induced a loose drive from Rahane.

South Africa's bowlers kept Kohli in check by attacking him outside the off stump. The strategy paid dividends as Morkel produced another full ball, swinging away this time, and Kohli chased and edged to Dane Vilas. India were at 116 for five at that stage.

From then on, Harmer left India's lower order without answers as he exploited the prodigious turn on offer in Nagpur. The hosts managed just 215 in their first innings.

South Africa faced nine overs before stumps and they struggled against the spinning-ball. R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja - like they did in the first Test - spun the ball plenty and got it to bounce too.

Stiaan van Zyl fell to Ashwin's drift and turn, prodding an offbreak to slip, and the nightwatchman Imran Tahir was bowled by Jadeja's accurate left-arm spin. They ended the day on 11 for 2, still 204-runs adrift from India's total.