K.L. Rahul’s valiant half-century (70 n.o., 105b, 10x4, 2x6) averted a collapse and anchored India to 208 for eight against a South Africa pace attack spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada on the rain-curtailed day one of the first Test at the SuperSport Park here on Tuesday.
Rahul combined with Shardul Thakur for 43 valuable runs and salvaged India from 121 for six.
HIGHLIGHTS - SOUTH AFRICA vs INDIA 1st TEST
After being asked to bat, India’s openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma looked prepared to play the waiting game. However, Rohit departed in the fifth over after his pull shot off Rabada was caught by Nandre Burger at fine leg.
Rabada missed the white-ball leg of India’s tour because of a heel injury, but showed no signs of rust as he took the new ball and settled into a neat line.
The day got even better for Burger as he induced an outside edge from Jaiswal, who had shown glimpses of his ability to play pleasing strokes during his 37-ball stay, and then had Shubman Gill caught-behind.
Virat Kohli (38, 64b, 5x4) and Shreyas Iyer (31, 50b, 3x4, 1x6) made the most of their reprieves and put on 68 for the fourth wicket. Rabada returned and accounted for both of them, cleaning up Iyer with a ball that nipped back sharply and castled him before getting Kohli caught-behind with an outswinger.
The right-arm quick prised out R. Ashwin and Shardul to complete a well-deserved fifer before rain forced early close of play.
However, South Africa had to deal with another injury blow after captain Temba Bavuma left the field in the first session with a hamstring strain and will be undergoing medical evaluations to determine if he could continue playing in the Test.
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