Rohit Sharma (108*), who attained his 3rd ton in the ongoing series, became the second Indian opener to hit three hundreds in a series. India batting great and iconic opener Sunil Gavaskar was the only previous Indian to do so, in 3 different series.
After going for 71/3 into Lunch on Day 1, Kagiso Rabada started the second session by bowling some exceptional deliveries to trouble Rahane and Rohit and almost got the better of them.
However, it was Rohit Sharma who stood tall as he scored his third fifty-plus score of the series in style by hitting a stylish boundary, following a fifty partnership with Rahane.
Ajinkya Rahane (74*) too joined the party in Ranchi by bringing his 21st Test fifty from 70 balls.
Earlier, a remarkable bowling performance by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje had put South Africa in command and left team India reeling at 71/3 at Lunch. A super bowling effort by Proteas ensured that team India got off to a horrid start in the first session.
Lethal Rabada bagged 2 sticks while debutante Nortje got his first Test wicket in form of none other than skipper Kohli.
South African seamer Lungi Ngidi partnered with Kagiso Rabada to start the proceedings with new ball against India batters. Rabada made the new 'red cherry' talk by bowling brilliant outswingers with some extra bounce.