South Africa had India on the mat at the end of the Day 1 of the first Test being played at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Proteas took immediate control. Kagiso Rabada's outstanding five-wicket haul created immense pressure on India's batting lineup. His deadly spells of fast bowling on a challenging pitch with unpredictable bounce dismantled the 'Men in Blue,' limiting them to 208 for 8 in 59 overs on a day affected by rain.
KL Rahul showcased exceptional composure in testing conditions, standing out as the lone batsman to score a fifty. He remained unbeaten at 70 off 105 deliveries, playing a crucial role in guiding India past the 200-run mark. This was significant given the struggle faced by the rest of India's batting order against Rabada's fierce bowling.
Rahul's elegant cover drive for six off left-arm pacer Marco Jansen and the boundary to complete his fifty with a six were standout moments in his impressive innings.
With only two wickets remaining, India will look to extend their total to at least 250 in the first innings.
Day 2 of the Test is set to begin at 1:30 PM IST. However, the threat of rain hangs over Centurion, raising doubts about whether play will commence as per schedule today.
-By Aditya Ahuja
