Watch India vs South Africa 2nd Test Live Streaming online
Watch India vs South Africa 2nd Test Day 2 Live Streaming onlineBut Petersen, who came in for Mark Boucher - out following back spasms - hit an unbeaten 57 and put on 107 with one-drop batsman Hashim Amla (49 not out) as South Africa reached lunch on 116 for one.
Smith scored a boundary through midwicket in Zaheer's first over, but was bowled off the last ball in the left-arm seamer's second over with a delivery that nipped back off the seam and sneaked through between bat and pad.
The 29-year-old Petersen, however, turned the game around quickly, getting off the mark with a boundary off Ishant Sharma and smashing several more as he quickly raced to his half-century.
He had survived a few good shouts for lbw - a particularly good one against Amit Mishra was turned down by umpire Ian Gould - and consumed only 55 deliveries en route to his 50.
Amla, who had made 253 not out in the first Test at Nagpur, easily struck stride to ensure South Africa enjoyed a profitable session.
