Dependable India batter KL Rahul held the fort for India at Stumps on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test match at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Rahul produced a fightback for the visitors when the other Indian batters struggled to get going and remained unbeaten on 70 in the tough challenging conditions. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada ran riot with the swing and claimed a fifer to put India on the back foot.
India were 208/8 as the rain affected the game on the opening day. Rahul was unbeaten on 70, while Mohammed Siraj is yet to open his account and faced 10 balls thus far.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bowl against India after the start was delayed by 30 minutes because of damp patches on a pitch which had been undercover for 40 hours before Tuesday morning because of rain.
The Proteas pacers took advantage of the conditions and dismissed the Indian top order early.
India skipper Rohit Sharma was the one to get out as he became a victim of Rabada’s short ball. Rohit attempted the pull shot and was caught by debutant Nandre Burger at fine leg.
Burger took two early wickets, having Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill caught behind for 17 and two respectively.
Kagiso Rabada bowled two of the most intimidating and incisive spells witnessed in recent times to completely rock the Indian batting line-up. He got the big wickets of Virat Kohli (38) and Shreyas Iyer (31) in the second session to put India on the back foot.
Rabada’s 14th five-wicket haul in Tests also comprised the scalp of Ravichandran Ashwin, who was completely rocked by extra bounce, and Shardul Thakur (24), who after a gutsy effort was softened by a bouncer and then taken out with a length delivery.
Rahul fought hard for India and kept looking for boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving at a healthy rate. He smashed 14 fours and two sixes.
India laboured to 208 for eight when bad light and rain halted the final session’s play on the first day of the opening Test against South Africa on Tuesday. After a long wait, the umpire decided to announce an early stumps due to the rain and bad light.
The elemental adversity stopped the play after 59 overs on a day that also saw a delayed toss due to wet patches on the field.
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