- Wednesday, May 01, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA vice-captain KL Rahul smashed his first Test hundred in South Africa on Boxing Day (26) to help his side reach an advantageous position after captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
India ended the opening day at 272 for 3 with Rahul remaining unbeaten on 122 off 248 deliveries. It was also his first Test hundred against South Africa.
With him was unbeaten Ajinkya Rahane, who is looking to regain touch and was batting on 40 off 81 balls.
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Rahul was involved in some crucial partnerships starting with his opening partner Mayank Agarwal (60), Kohli (35) and Ajinkya Rahane.
South Africa, India observe a minute’s silence for Desmond Tutu
It was Rahul’s seventh ton in the long format and the second of the year after the match-winning 129 against England at Lord’s in August.
Rahul, who was picked as the vice-captain for the three-Test series after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the series because of a hamstring injury, added 117 runs for the first wicket and after Cheteshwar Pujara fell for a golden duck, added 82 runs for the third wicket with Kohli and an unbeaten 73 runs with Rahane for the fourth wicket. He belted 16 boundaries and one six in his knock. His century partnership with Agarwal is the only 100-plus partnership by an Indian pair for the first wicket in Tests in South Africa.
For the Proteas, pacer Lungi Ngidi was the most successful bowler who picked all the three wickets that fell on the opening day.
