India ended the first session of Day 1 of their second Test against South Africa on Monday at 53/3 and will be disappointed with their start to the match after an excellent performance in their first Test days earlier. India captain Virat Kohli is out of the match with a back problem, and KL Rahul is leading the team today.

India got off to a decent but unremarkable start with 14 runs from 4 overs, but South Africa had other plans for the visiting team.

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Indian opening batsman Mayank Agarwal got caught out by Kyle Verreynne while facing a delivery from Marco Jansen right after the drinks break. The hosts did not even have to wait 10 overs for their next wicket as Duanne Olivier’s delivery to Chesteshwar Pujara produced a simple catch for Temba Bavuma, marking the bowler’s first wicket upon his international return. Olivier picked up another wicket in the next ball as Ajinkya Rahane got out for a duck after producing a simple catch for Keegan Petersen.

Olivier’s two wickets marked his 50th wicket in international Test cricket in just 1486 balls, the second-fastest since the 20th century, after South African cricketer Vernon Philander (1240 balls).

India’s poor start to the second Test sparked a host of reactions on Twitter as netizens took to the social media site to voice their opinions.

Some fans pointed out the inconsistent streaks of Pujara and Rahane.

Others, meanwhile, called for fresh talent to be given opportunities over underperforming stars.

With Pujara and Rahane receiving flak from fans for their performances, all eyes will be on captain KL Rahul and Hanuma Vihari when the match resumes after lunch.

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India will be desperate to mount a rugged defence post-lunch as a slip-up in the first innings could allow South Africa to build a lead later on and ramp up the pressure on India to perform in the second innings. A win for South Africa at Johannesburg would take the series right down to the wire, with the last match scheduled to played between January 11 and 15 at Cape Town.

India have not won a Test series in South Africa and are hopeful of breaking their poor record this time around, having won convincingly at the first Test in Centurion.