South Africa pin India at 136/9

Centurion : India were in dire straits as South Africa seamers crushed their batting order and left them struggling at 136 for nine in first innings on the first day of the first cricket Test at the Super Sport Park here Thursday.

After a delayed start of over four hours by rain, India were asked to bat first by Proteas skipper Graeme Smith’s decision to bowl.

Morne Morkel claimed 4-20 and Dale Steyn picked up 3-34 in just 38.1 overs that were played in the day, before bad light stopped the game.

Steyn picked up Virender Sehwag with the first ball of his second over, after the Indian opener?s uppercut went straight to Hashim Amla at third-man for a duck. Gautam Gambhir (5) and Rahul Dravid (14) added 23 for the second wicket and both were removed by Morkel in consecutive overs.

Gambhir edged a drive to Paul Harris at first slip while Dravid was trapped lbw and he became Morkel?s 100th Test wicket.

Sachin Tendulkar (36) and VVS Laxman (7) helped India get to tea without further loss on 55-3 but wickets tumbled in the evening session.

Laxman (7) was bowled by Steyn aiming to work a straight delivery to midwicket and Suresh Raina (1) guided his third ball, from Jacques Kallis (1-20), to Ashwell Prince at third slip.

Tendulkar struck eight boundaries in reaching 36 from 34 balls before Steyn won an lbw decision against him with one that straightened off the pitch. His exit reduced India to 71-6 and in danger of total meltdown.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh went for their shots to add 39 off 45 balls to at least see the tourists into a collective three figures.