South Africa vs India, 1st Test, Day 1: India Finish Strong 272/3 At Stumps; KL Rahul Unbeaten On 122

South Africa vs India, 1st Test, Day 1

India Score 272/3 At Stumps 

With the help of a mature and calculated batting display, Team India have finished strong at 272/3 at Stumps on Day 1. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 122, Mayank Agarwal scored 60 runs, Virat Kohli played a calculated knock off 34 runs while Ajinkya Rahane who's been in a slump, showed good form as he scored 40 runs off 81 balls with 8 fours. 

The only batter who 'failed' in the batting lineup was Cheteshwar Pujara, who was dismissed for a golden duck. For South Africa, Lungi Nigi picked all 3 wickets. 

KL Rahul completes his 8th Test Century

KL Rahul, India's Vice Captain opened the innings for India and held one end responsibly as he went on to score his 8th Test Century. 

India are at 238/3 in 78 Overs, with 12 overs to go on the first day.

Virat Kohli out after scoring 35 off 94 balls 

Virat Kohli got off to a good start and was looking good as he scored 35 runs off 94 balls with 4 boundaries. However, Lungi Ngidi who picked 2 back-to-back wickets in the second session, went on to pick up India skipper in the 69th over in the 3rd session. Kohli poked at a tempting delivery on the offside away from his body and was caught out at 2nd slip. Virat got well set but again, fate had other plans.

India at 203/3 after 69 overs.

India: 157/2 At Tea

India lost two back-to-back wickets in the form of Mayank Agarwal(60) & Cheteshwar Pujara (0), picked up by Lungi Ngidi in the second session of the match. However, vice-captain KL Rahul (68*) and captain  Virat Kohli (19*) have steadied the innings and helped India recover from two quick losses. India have scored 157 runs for 2 wickets at end of the 2nd session on Day 1.

KL Reaches His 13th Test Fifty

Indian opener KL Rahul played the South African pace attack with all the caution and yet with class as he reached his 13th test fifty. Rahul strikes Ngidi for a boundary in the 43rd over to bring up his fifty. India at 122/2 after 43 overs. 

India Lose 2 Wickets In Consecutive Balls By Lungi Ngidi

After an impressive opening partnership between KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal (60) of 117 runs, Lungi Ngidi dismisses Mayank Agarwal after taking a DRS review for LBW.  Mayank Agarwal scored 60 runs off 123 balls with 9 boundaries.

Cheteshwar Pujara came out to bat next and was dismissed for a golden duck by the same bowler. The ball took Pujara's bat's inside edge and went to the short leg where Petersen held on to the ball to dismiss the batter. India at 118/2 after 41 overs.

Mayank Agarwal reaches his fifty with a four against Jensen on the first delivery of the 29th over.

Mayank completes his fifty in 89 balls. India at 90/0 in 30 overs.

India - 83/0 in 28 Overs at Lunch

Indian openers KL Rahul (29*) & Mayank Agarwal (46*) have cautiously taken India to 83/0 in the first session of the first test. Mayank Agarwal played 2 false shots but was dropped by South African fielders. 

India 42/0 in 14 Overs after 1 Hour Of Play

Indian openers - KL Rahul (16*) & Mayank Agarwal (26*) have provided a sturdy & cautious start against South African pacers, as captain Dean Elgar has used all his fast bowling options to test out the Indian openers.

KL Rahul has been dismissed in the tests most of the time on deliveries on or outside the off stump, and he has been cautiously leaving the balls on that line in this match. Mayank Agarwal also looks in good touch. 

South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar(c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock(w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Virat Kohli wins the toss and opted to bat first in the boxing day test. 

SA v IND Fantasy XI:

• Wicket-keepers - Rishabh Pant
• Batters - Virat Kohli, Lokesh Rahul, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar
• All-rounders - Ravichandran Ashwin
• Bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami,  Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada, Shardul Thakur

SA v IND, Preview: 

South Africa batting will highly bank on Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, and Aiden Markram to score runs. Rassie Van der Dussen will be the player to watch out for. 

Kagiso Rabada will be leading the bowling department. Lungi Ngidi will be the second pacer. Duaan Olivier is an exciting prospect and could get to start in the first test. Keshav Maharaj will be the sole spinner. 

India have a lot to ponder in the batting department. KL Rahul is a starter with Mayank Agarwal accompanying him. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli too are sure starters. Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Hanuma Vihari will fight for the number five position. Rahane could get a nod ahead of the two in the first test. 

R Ashwin is likely to be the sole spinner. Shardul Thakur is likely to make it into the playing XI. Mohammad Siraj and Ishant Sharma will fight for the third pacers' spot. 

SA v IND Probable Playing XI:

• South Africa - Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Quinton de Kock (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Duaan Olivier, Lungi Ngidi
• India - KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane/Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj/Ishant Sharma