South Africa won the toss and opted to field first on a green wicket at SuperSport Park. A day that began with some controlled seam bowling by Kagiso Rabada in cloudy circumstances, gave the Indians some trouble. His experience got the wicket of the opposition skipper as Rohit Sharma was dismissed for attempting to pull shot. The youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were sent back to the pavilion by debutant Nandre Burger.
Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli, who were both awarded a life each which helped India come back to life. Rabada returned after lunch to deliver a brilliant session for the hosts. He removed Iyer with a little low nipbacker. Then he bowled Kohli with an exquisite outswinger where the batter could not have done anything.
Ravichandran Ashwin was hit by a vicious ball that seemed out of nowhere. Rabada removed him as well and that saw India reeling at 121/6. But when KL Rahul returned and showed excellent technique to respond to the swinging delivery and score runs as well, they discovered a messiah. He has contributed 84 runs while shepherding the tail, using numbers 8, 9, and 10.
He was making lots of deliveries in the meantime, but he was also going all out in the Indian Premier League, where the hosts made mistakes with their lengths. With 208/8 at the end of the day, Rahul and India continue to dominate. The Proteas could have finished the inning today if they were just a little bit more proficient in the field.
Weather report for Day 2 of the Test match?
The weather for the entire Test match isn’t promising by any stretch of the imagination. Moreover, it would not be a surprise if the match ends in a stalemate due to inclement weather in Centurion.
It should also not raise eyebrows if the first two days of the Test match gets called off due to rain. There are 92 and 90 percent chances of rain on Day 1 and 2 respectively. Clouds will be around throughout the day with temperatures around 19 and 23 degrees Celsius.
Fans react as India score 208/8 on Day 1 of first Test against South Africa:
India 208/8 on Day 1 Stumps.
KL Rahul the hero of the day with 70* (105). He's batting on a different pitch, a marvelous innings so far. pic.twitter.com/li0evN6cNg
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 26, 2023
— Guhan (@TheDogeVampire) December 26, 2023
RCB Blood KL Rahul
— TROLL PAKISTAN CRICKET (@trollpakistanii) December 26, 2023
Well done KL Rahul
— TJ (@TAB_TAB_HH) December 26, 2023
KL what a player pic.twitter.com/UFyq9EIuq8
— Deeksha. (@CrickettFanGirl) December 26, 2023
Hope he reaches century tomorrow ??? pic.twitter.com/LkEBAwXL4k
— Karthik (@vsk_says) December 26, 2023
Brilliant day of #BoxingDay test match. South Africa throwing punches by taking 3 quick wickets twice today. India responding back with KL leading the way. Delayed start and rain played spoilsport now sets up day 2 beautifully.
— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) December 26, 2023
Indian bowling will be very crucial.
I foresee that we will miss Shami badly looking at the conditions ?— Being Indian ?? (@SunilSa02606284) December 26, 2023
Very nice ?? pic.twitter.com/FFNZc3jq2n
— ??????? ???? ?????? (@rastrvadi_4) December 26, 2023
KL Rahul today ifykyk pic.twitter.com/EvPRr6l1LK
— DMN?? (@dhonimessiNTR) December 26, 2023
Rahul is the great player great innings
— Muneer Hussain (@MuneerSheikh42) December 26, 2023
Klassic knock
— Indian sport action (@sportszone_17) December 26, 2023
