IND vs SA 1st Test: At the end of the first day’s play of the first Test match against South Africa, India scored 208 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Perhaps, they would be pleased with their score, especially after having lost the first three wickets for just 24 runs.
Skipper Rohit Sharma departed for just 5 runs to his name and Yashasvi Jaiswal (17 off 37), who was looking good in the middle, followed him soon after. Coming at number three, Shubman Gill also got out one over later as India was in all sorts of trouble.
Shreyas Iyer then joined hands with former captain Virat Kohli and the duo led the team’s recovery. They steadied the ship and took India to 91 for 3 at Lunch. India didn’t lose more wickets in the first session, thanks to that partnership.
Meanwhile, a video went viral on social media where Kohli was seen giving advice to Iyer. The former told Shreyas Iyer to keep watching the bowler’s hand while he is coming to bowl at him.
He was heard on the stump mic saying, Ball dekhte rehna hath mein uske, kidhar pakda rahega.”
You can watch the video here
On the first over after Lunch, Kagiso Rabada successfully broke the partnership as he rattled Shreyas Iyer’s stumps with the one that jagged back in. The South Africa pacer bowled another peach of a delivery to also get rid of Virat Kohli, soon after.
Kohli departed after a well-made 31 off 50 balls but India, once again, were in a spot of bother at 107 for 5. Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Africa’s pace attack as he claimed 5 wickets for just 44 runs in his 17-over spell.
KL Rahul Stood Firm With 70* runs
India would have bundled out pretty quickly if not for KL Rahul, who stood out as a lone warrior. He exhibited his class by playing the kind of knock needed in South African conditions. The Indian batter showed great resilience, respecting the balls which were bowled at good lengths and line.
However, he also made sure that he sent every ball to the boundary rope that was pitched outside the off-stump and was there to be hit. While wickets were falling at one end, he made sure runs keep coming at a steady pace. KL Rahul is, currently, unbeaten on 70 off 105 balls, including 10 fours and 2 sixes. Mohammed Siraj is batting with him on 0. South Africa needs two wickets to bundle out India.
IND vs SA 1st Test Day 1 Brief Scores
South Africa vs India, 1st Test, Day 1: Kagiso Rabada’s 5-44 and KL Rahul’s 70* are the top performances of the day. India is 208-8 on the stumps on Day 1
Read More: Rabada Rips Through India With a Five-Wicket Haul on Day 1
