Markram falls after South Africa's near-perfect session in second India Test

South Africa's Aiden Markram combined in an 82-run opening stand with Ryan Rickleton before falling at the stroke of tea after a near-perfect session for the visitors on the opening day of the second and final Test against India in Guwahati on Saturday.

Markram, who made 38, had been spilled in the slip early in his knock off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling but the seamer dismissed him in the final over of the session.

Rickleton was batting on 35.

Due to the early sunrise and fast-fading light in north-east India, the normal refreshment order has been flipped for the match, scheduling the tea break ahead of lunch in the first-ever test match at Barsapara Cricket Stadium.

Having won the series opener inside three days on a spinning track in Kolkata, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma had no hesitation batting first on a pitch that had a fair amount of grass coverage and no cracks from where the ball could kick up.

Markram got a reprieve on four when Bumrah drew an edge but KL Rahul floored the catch at slip.

India's stand-in captain Rishabh Pant, leading the side in the absence of injured skipper Shubman Gill, introduced spin in the 14th over but Washington Sundar was unable to make an immediate impact.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav joined Sundar from the other end but the openers would still not be separated.

Pant then brought back Bumrah for one final over before the break and the decision paid off, Markram's thick inside edge sending the ball crashing into his stumps.