India was at 45 for the loss of two at lunch on Day One of the third and final Test against South Africa being played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
India lost openers Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay for duck and 8 respectively.
Skipper Virat Kohli was batting on 24, while Cheteshwar Pujara was batting on five at lunch.
Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada claimed a wicket each for South Africa.
India have included Ajinkya Rahane and pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. They replaced Rohit Sharma and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin respectively.