South African spinners did t bowl badly and it was just sheer brilliance of Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal that has taken game away from visitors, lead Proteas tweaker Keshav Maharaj said on Thursday. Left-arm spinner Maharaj (3/189 in 55 overs) bowled his heart out but did t get support from or end in Dane Piedt (107/1 in 19 overs) or debutant Senuran Muthusamy (63/1 in 15 lovers), who did take prized wicket of Virat Kohli.

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Maharaj hails Indian openers

"I wouldn't say y bowled poorly. I personally judge if someone comes down wicket and hits you, it's t a bad ball. If you are getting hit from crease, if you are getting cut, n it's a different story," said Maharaj, after day two of first Test.

"Piedt was unlucky. Mayank played superbly well and so did Rohit. Literally everything y wanted to do paid off, it was ir day. I wouldn't look too much if y bowled badly or anything. Sen is an all-rounder, a batting all-rounder, so his contribution in his first Test went pretty well, especially in tough conditions," he said. India won toss and had hesitation in batting first. hosts put up mammoth 502 for seven in ir first innings. In response, South Africa were 39 for three at stumps. "I suppose toss does play a part because you want best possible conditions to bowl for spinners but having said that, we could have been a little bit better at times when we did bowl," he added.

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' toss plays a crucial role'

"I suppose toss does play a large factor in terms of outcome of game. But we still have a task at hand in terms of bat as long as possible and try and come close to target if possible," said Maharaj.

India spinners bowled faster than ir South African counterparts and got more purchase out of surface. Maharaj said that deteriorating pitch was also a reason Indian spinners doing well. "I also think deterioration also plays a massive factor in terms of pace of ball. Obviously, with wicket t spinning, you try to beat batsman through air and maybe slow it to get some assistance. Maybe, odd faster ball might grip. But yeah, deterioration of wicket does play a pivotal factor in terms of speeds that you do play," player added.

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