India ended Day 1 at 80 for no loss, trailing South Africa by 134 runs in the second cricket Test, being played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.
Indian openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan were unbeaten at the crease on 28 and 45 respectively at stumps.
Earlier, India bowled out South Africa in their first innings for a meagre total of 214. World No.1 batsman and South Africa's One-Day International (ODI) captain AB de Villiers top-scored with 85 while opener Dean Elgar made 38.
Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared the spoils, each picking up four wickets. Pacer Varun Aaron also chipped in with a scalp.
India currently lead the four-match series 1-0.