KL Rahul, the vice-captain, scored 122 runs off 248 deliveries and hit 17 boundaries and one maximum in the process.
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India might not have had much luck in the past while playing South Africa away but they are certainly in total control after Day 1 of the first Test being played between the two countries. Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 272 runs for the loss of three wickets at the end of the day’s play. Newly appointed vice-captain of the Indian Test side, KL Rahul, played a dream knock as he remained unbeaten on a mammoth 122 runs. Former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was with him at the crease, scoring 40 runs off 81 deliveries.
Rahul, along with his childhood friend Mayank Agarwal, opened the innings for the visitors. The vice-captain scored 122 runs off 248 deliveries, hitting 17 boundaries and one maximum in the process. It was a knock that showed exactly how talented and dynamic the former Punjab Kings skipper is with the bat. He played shots all around the park and dealt comfortably with most of the deliveries. Rahul will be looking to keep his good run of form going on the second day as well.
Stumps on Day 1 of the 1st Test.
A brilliant ton from @klrahul11 as #TeamIndia end the first day on 272/3.
Scorecard – https://t.co/eoM8MqSQgO #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/WwXgVoZd9B
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2021
Mayank played a fine knock himself as the duo constructed a 117-run partnership for the first wicket. He scored 60 runs off 123 deliveries in a knock that included nine boundaries. Cheteshwar Pujara was disappointing on the day as he was dismissed for nought on the first ball while skipper Kohli could only manage to score 35 runs off 94 deliveries.
Ajinkya Rahane, who has been under a lot of criticism of late, did a fairly decent job on the day. He scored an unbeaten 40 runs off 81 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries in the process. The former vice-captain will be hoping that he can turn his start into a big score on the second day.
The bowling performance by South Africa was well below par considering how talented the side is on paper. Many had predicted the Proteas to give a hard time to the Indian batters, especially on a home surface. However, they just were not able to make a serious impact.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was the sole wicket-taker on the day for Dean Elgar’s men. Ngidi bagged three scalps, and conceded 45 runs in 17 overs. He dismissed Mayank Agarwal at 40.2 overs and sent Pujara packing the very next ball.
Kohli was looking dangerous and he could have gone on to make a big score but Ngidi made sure that did not happen. Overall, it was a fantastic performance by the South African and skipper Elgar will be hoping that his others bowlers follow suit on Day 2.
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