Centurion witnessed a captivating opening day of the Test series between India and South Africa, where early Indian struggles were countered by KL Rahul’s resolute batting. South African skipper Temba Bavuma’s decision to field first proved fruitful initially as Kagiso Rabada dismissed Rohit Sharma early, setting the tone for a testing day for the Indian batsmen.
Young batters, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill failed to capitalize on their starts, leaving India reeling at 24/3. Debutant Nandre Burger impressed with his tight lines and consistent bounce, adding to the Indian woes. However, seasoned campaigners Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the ship, guiding the score past 90.
Both Iyer and Kohli succumbed to Rabada’s exceptional bowling, with the South African pacer extracting swing and seam movement to dismiss both batters for scores of 31 and 38, respectively. Ravichandran Ashwin’s dismissal to another Rabada beauty left India at 121/6, facing an uphill battle.
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Young pacer Nandre Burger tested India’s resolve. Stump mics caught Virat Kohli’s sage advice to Shreyas Iyer: “Keep your eye on his hand, where he holds it.”
Virat Kohli to Shreyas Iyer – “Ball dekhte rehna hath mein uske, Kidhar pakda rahega (Keep looking at the ball in his hand, where will it be held)
My Idolo Dedication For Team India 🥹❤️🇮🇳#INDvsSA #Selfless #Tests #Steph #WTC25 #Gill #NewYear #Luka pic.twitter.com/8fwWZovdfZ
— Shivendra Yadav (@Shivvvydv08) December 26, 2023
KL Rahul, however, defied the Proteas bowlers. His gritty knock, laced with ten boundaries and two maximums, provided much-needed stability. He found valuable support from the lower order, particularly Ravi Ashwin, who added 29, and Shardul Thakur, who contributed 21.
Kagiso Rabada, despite conceding late runs, remained the undisputed star of the day. His five-wicket haul, showcasing his mastery of pace and bounce, highlighted why he’s considered one of the game’s best.
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With rain having the final say, Day 1 concluded with India in a precarious yet potentially promising position. Rahul’s resilience leaves the game delicately balanced, setting the stage for a thrilling battle in the days to come. The Proteas, however, hold the upper hand thanks to Rabada’s heroics. All eyes will be on how India responds and if Rahul can continue his rescue act on Day 2.
