The highly-anticipated Test Series between India and South Africa is underway at SuperSport Park in Centurion and KL Rahul has showcased a brilliant batting performance on Day 1. India won the toss and elected to bat first. The Men in Blue reached 272 for 3 at stumps on the first day of the opening Test against South Africa on Sunday. KL Rahul was going strong on 122 and Ajinkya Rahane was giving him company on 40 at the close of play.
KL Rahul was the stand-out performer on Day 1
India skipper Virat Kohi made a brave call to bat first on a greenish surface which is expected to get quicker as the game progresses.
Opener Mayank Agarwal made 60 while Cheteshwar Pujara was out for a duck. Captain Virat Kohli contributed 35. Earlier, India reached 157 for 2 at tea. KL Rahul was going strong on 68 and captain Virat Kohli was giving him company on 19 at the break. Opener Mayank Agarwal made 60 while Cheteshwar Pujara was out for a duck.
Earlier, Agarwal and Rahul played with the required discipline in testing conditions to take India to 83 for no loss at lunch. Rahul and Agarwal – Boxing Day buddies from Bangalore – put together India’s first century opening stand in South Africa since 2010 before Rahul added two stands worth 82 each with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.
With a square-drive, just a push really, off Keshav Maharaj, KL Rahul got to his seventh Test hundred, having spent 12 overs in the 90s. Rahul is only the second India opener to score a century in South Africa. With five now, he moves past Virender Sehwag for most centuries outside Asia for an India opener. Only Sunil Gavaskar is ahead of him.
With seven wickets left to spare, India are eyeing to put up a huge total on Day 2 as they try to pile up pressure on the hosts.
