Nagpur: The battle to grab the No. 1 spot in test cricket, began this morning, as South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first in the first test match in Nagpur. Pacer Zaheer Khan gave a double blow to the Proteas to leave them at 6/2 in 6.3 overs. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis are trying to consolidate the innings.

Ashwell Prince was the first to go, as he failed to open his account. Skipper Graeme Smith became the second victim of Zaheer Khan. He scored just 6. South Africa were 36/2 in 19.1 overs when reports last received.

Earlier, VVS Laxman was ruled out of the playing XI due to injury. Dhoni preferred Wriddhiman Saha to Rohit Sharma. Badrinath and Murali Vijay are also in the playing XI, while India went into the match with two pacers - Zaheer and Ishant & two spinners - Harbhajan and Amit Mishra.

Team India:

Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, Subramaniam Badrinath, MS Dhoni, Wriddhiman Saha, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma.

South Africa Team:

Graeme Smith, Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Mark Boucher, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris.