Day 1 of the first Test at Centurion saw South Africa triumph over India at Stumps, thanks to Temba Bavuma’s excellent bowling attack. Bavuma had won the toss and urged India to bat first, and his bowlers left India reeling at 208/8. The opening day of the two-match series saw Kagiso Rabada shine with the ball for the hosts, grabbing his 14th career five-wicket haul to put his side ahead.
India’s opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, displayed composure in the first four overs after being placed to bat first by leaving the ball outside the off stump. However, India lost their first wicket in the fifth over as captain Sharma (5 off 14) ended up dragging a short delivery straight to fine leg to rookie Nandre Burger.
Following his catch, Burger delivered India’s second blow when he found the outside edge of Jaiswal’s bat and connected with the ball as well. Shubman Gill came in to bat at number three with the intention of putting an end to the team’s suffering, but he only managed two runs before Kagiso Rabada strangled him down the leg side, forcing him to return.
After India was struggling at 24/3, Virat Kohli (38 off 64) and Shreyas Iyer (31 off 50) combined for 67 runs to take the score to 67 and lead India to safety at lunch. Rabada dismissed Iyer and Kohli after lunch, once more forcing his team back into the contest.
KL Rahul led India to victory with an undefeated 70.
But with some help from Shardul Thakur (24 off 33), KL Rahul held one end and continued moving the scoreboard forward. The South African bowlers gave the all-rounder a lot of bouncers, which even injured him, but he persevered admirably during that difficult time.
Rabada finished with five wickets, and Thakur blasted a clean shot to cover.
KL Rahul batted well and reached a tenacious half-century despite losing partners at the other end. With an undefeated knock of 70* (105), he led India to stumps on the first day and is set to lead them past 250 on the second.
On an intensely action-packed first test day, X was a flurry of reactions. Listed below are a few posts:
Sumptuous lofted drives, glorious shots along the ground, cracking pulls, excellent leaves, a rock-solid defence — this @klrahul innings has had it all. Phenomenal display for skills in demanding conditions. #INDvsSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 26, 2023
It’s been that kind of year for KL Rahul. Uncontrollables working in his favour & controllables, well he has been just brilliant at it! 👏👏👏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 26, 2023
KL batting = ❤️
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) December 26, 2023
I like Nandre Burger. I like his pace a lot. The only thing I’d like even more, is if he didn’t smile as much and got more aggressive!
Smiling at batters gives them a small win every single time.
Bowl fast, seriously fast and DO NOT smile after most deliveries!— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) December 26, 2023
Brilliant partnership from Virat and Shreyas. Double it up boys. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/GVer10wpZS
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 26, 2023
No KL Rahul fan Pass without liking this shot🔥#INDvsSA
— Rupessssssssss (@mufaddal_vohran) December 26, 2023
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