1 year ago
190
Poll
Can KL Rahul notch up his second Test ton at SuperSport Park?
Exploiting the conditions to perfection
At the toss, Temba Bavuma took the expected decision of bowling first and his bowlers did make the best use of the conditions during that initial hour. The steep tennis-ball like bounce was always going to create problems for the star-studded Indian line-up which for the last six months has played only white ball formats.
Rohit vs Rabada
Rabada's 14th five-wicket haul in Tests
Apart from the perfect dismissal of Virat Kohli, Kagiso Rabada also went on to dismiss skipper Rohit Sharma (5), Shreyas Iyer (31), Ravichandran Ashwin (8) and Shardul Thakur (24) in his five-wicket haul.
When Rabada went one up on Kohli
One of the finest fast bowlers in contemporary cricket, Kagiso Rabada bowled an absolute peach to dismiss Virat Kohli (38 off 64 balls) with the old ball after having bounced out Indian skipper Rohit Sharma (5) in his first spell on Day 1. The manner in which Kohli was forced into making a mistake was an education for young pacers. Rabada bowled a couple of incoming deliveries to pin him on the backfoot and then unleashed his deadly weapon. He made a nearly 31-over-old Kookaburra to move in and kept it on fuller length as Kohli shaped himself to play inside the line of the delivery. But to his amazement, the ball pitched and deviated late to take the outside edge en route to keeper Kyle Verreynne's hands. Kohli got a massive reprieve in the first session when he was on four as Tony de Zorzi dropped a dolly at square leg off debutant Nandre Burger (2/39) but he then carried out the repair work with Shreyas Iyer.
Rahul is turning out to be a man for crisis for us. Every time there are tough situations, he is the guy who handles it well for us. Nothing special, he was clear with his gameplans, defended the right balls, attacked the right ones.
India batting coach Vikram Rathour said after Day 1
Stat attack
Holding the fort
Too hot to handle!
Kagiso Rabada (5/44 in 17 overs) bowled two of the most intimidating and incisive spells witnessed in recent times to completely rock the Indian batting line-up, which struggled to cope with the conditions.
Rahul - The warrior!
KL Rahul -- 70 not out -- continued his love affair with Supersport Park, displaying excellent temperament on a difficult pitch taking India to 208 for 8 in 59 overs when rain forced early stumps.
'Five Star' Rabada
Kagiso Rabada (5/44) was at his lethal best, knocking the stuffing out of India's batting ‘prima donnas' with a fifer on a track offering extra and variable bounce as South Africa looked in total control.
Hello and welcome back!
It's Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India in Centurion. After a thrilling fast bowling display from the Proteas bowers, we saw some a gritty fight from keeper-batter KL Rahul on the first day.
IND vs SA: REPORT, Day 1 - Kagiso Rabada takes five wickets but KL Rahul keeps Indian hopes alive
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took five wickets but a fighting innings by KL Rahul kept Indian hopes alive on the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday.
India were 208 for eight when bad light followed by rain brought an early close.
Rabada took five for 44 - his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Rahul, who made a century to set up an Indian win on the same ground two seasons ago, was unbeaten on 70.
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IND vs SA: That's STUMPS on Day 1
That's STUMPS on Day 1. Rain forces early stumps on Day 1 in Centurion. India 208/8 against SA. (Rahul 70*; Rabada 5/44)
IND vs SA Live: India were 208 for 8 as rain stops play in Centurion
India laboured to 208 for eight when bad light and rain halted the final session's play on the first day of the opening Test against South Africa on Tuesday.
The elemental adversity stopped the play after 59 overs on a day that also saw a delayed toss due to wet patches on the field.
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada rocked India with a five-wicket haul (5/44) as the visitors hung on for dear life through an unbeaten 70 off 105 balls by KL Rahul.
IND vs SA: Rain! Rain!
Rain has arrived. Covers are on. Pitch and some area of the square region are under covers now.
IND vs SA Live: Umpires chat with groundsmen
The umpires remain on the field, assessing the situation, in hopes that the light will improve, allowing for more play today. With the rain subsided, the groundsmen are ready to cover the square pending instructions. Currently, the on-field umpires, the fourth umpire, and the head groundsman are in discussion. The sky looms dark despite the lights being on.
IND vs SA: Rain, bad light halt play
Light rain and bad light force players leave the field. Still 31 overs left in the day. IND 208/8 vs SA. KL Rahul and Siraj are walking back. SA players are waiting at the boundary ropes.
IND vs SA Live: 200 comes up!
200 comes up for India! Short from Coetzee and KL pull this deep mid wicket. What a knock by KL today. Superb show by hi,. He moves to 63 now.
India vs South Africa: Glorious shot from KL
FOUR! KL Rahul plays this inside out off Gerald Coetzee. A couple of bounces and the ball hits the fence.
IND vs SA Live: Floodlights on
The floodlights are on. Wind is picking up too. Are we going to witness a rain break here?
IND vs SA: Wicket for Jansen
WICKET! Finally a wicket for Marco Jansen. The South African pacer castles Jasprit Bumrah for 1. India are eight down now. KL needs to shift gears now. He needs to get some valuable runs for his team.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 191/8 vs SA
India vs South Africa: FIFTY for KL
FIFTY! KL Rahul brings up his half century with a huge six off Burger. Superb shot from him. He raises his bat and celebrates his half century. Fighting knock from him. He knows that the job is not yet done.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 187/7 vs SA
IND vs SA Live: Boundary for KL
FOUR! KL Rahul plays this nicely towards deep mid-wicket. Nandre Burger isn't happy with this.
IND vs SA: Welcome back! Final session is underway
KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah are making their way to the middle. It's been a tough day for Team India. India will aim for some more runs in the third session. SA need three more to bowl India out. Kagiso Rabada will start the proceedings.
India vs South Africa: Rabada snares five wickets to reduce India to 176/7 at tea
Kagiso Rabada derailed India in the second session with four wickets as South Africa reduced the visitors to 176 for seven at tea on the opening day of the first Test on Tuesday.
Rabada (5/41) picked up the wickets of Shreyas Iyer (31), Virat Kohli (38), Ravichandran Ashwin (8) and Shardul Thakur (24) in the post-lunch period that witnessed 50 overs being completed.
KL Rahul (39 not out) and Thakur shared 43 runs for the seventh wicket.
Earlier, India had reached 91 for three against South Africa at lunch.
Invited to bat, India were in a spot of bother at 24 for three Kohli and Iyer rode on luck to stabilise the visitors' innings with unbeaten 67 runs for the fourth wicket but could add just one after the break as Rabada came to the party.
Left-arm pacer Nandre Burger (2/39), who made his Test debut, also looked dangerous.
The toss was delayed due to wet patches on the outfield.
India handed Test debut to pacer Prasidh Krishna while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was unavailable for the series-opener due to back spasm.
India are aiming for their maiden Test series win in South Africa.
IND vs SA: That's TEA on Day 1
India 176/7 at tea on Day 1 against South Africa in Centurion. (KL Rahul 39*; Kagiso Rabada 5/41)
India vs South Africa: Sixth boundary for KL
FOUR! KL Rahul goes on backfoot and smashes Rabada towards deep backward point fence.
IND vs SA: STAT ATTACK - High fives for Rabada
Maiden five-wicket haul for Kagiso Rabada against India. Rabada (178*) goes past Allan Donald's tally of 177 wickets in South Africa in six fewer Tests.
IND vs SA: Shardul falls
WICKET! Kagiso Rabada ends Shardul Thakur's stay at 24. Five-wicket haul for Rabada. This is his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests. Incredible moment for him. India are 7 down now. Jasprit Bumrah joins KL Rahul in the middle.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 164/7 vs SA
IND vs SA Live: Shardul is hurt
Rabada to Thakur. The ball hits his right bicep this time. He is in pain. Physio is out in the middle. The physio has wrapped a bandage around Shardul's bicep.
IND vs SA: What a shot!
SIX! What a shot from KL Rahul. He stands tall and whacks the ball over deep extra cover region. He is using his white ball experience here.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 163/6 vs SA
India vs South Africa: Concussion check
Short from Gerald Coetzee. Shardul Thakur goes for a pull shot. And the ball hits his helmet. He seems fine. There will be a concussion check. Physio is out to check on Shardul. There is a swelling on Shardul's forehead. Physio is rubbing the swollen part.
IND vs SA: Third boundary for Shardul
FOUR! Shardul Thakur sends Gerald Coetzee for a boundary. This is his third boundary. KL and Shardul are slowly forming a stand here.
India have been unsuccessful in conquering the South African stronghold on their home turf in the previous eight series, managing to secure victories in only four out of the 23 Test matches contested between the two teams.
But former India head coach Ravi Shastri said the current series presents India with the best chance to win the first ever Test series in South Africa. And the reason is not slightly inexperienced Proteas side but not having Vernon Philander in the team.
IND vs SA Live: Aggressive shot
FOUR! Short from Jansen this time. KL Rahul slaps this towards deep mid wicket fence. Aggressive shot from the right hander.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 143/6 vs SA
India vs South Africa: KL hits Jansen
FOUR! Jansen to KL. The right hander leans forward and guides the ball towards deep backward point fence.
IND vs SA Live: Thakur hits a boundary
FOUR! Too full from Rabada. Shardul comes a bit forward and drives this through mid-off for a four. Excellent stuff from him.
IND vs SA: Rabada removes Ashwin
WICKET! Rabada is on fire. He takes his fourth wicket. Ashwin falls for 8.Unplayable delivery from Rabada. Extra bounce too. Ashwin tries to defend. The ball hits his glove and hand too. Wiaan Mulder (sub) takes a superb catch at third slip. Ashwin is dejected and walking back.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 121/6 vs SA
India vs South Africa: Gorgeous cover drive from KL
FOUR! Gorgeous cover drive from KL Rahul. Fullish and outside off from Burger. KL seems waiting for this. He leans forward and times this so well and drives this through covers.
IND vs SA Live: Two boundaries for Ashwin
FOUR! Short of length outside off from Rabada. Ashwin punches this through cover. Chance for South Africa. But the ball hits the fence. Second boundary for Ashwin in this over.
India vs South Africa Live: Kohli falls
WICKET! Rabada removes Virat. huge wicket for SA at the moment. Rabada is celebrating. He knows he has got the big man. A peach of a delivery and Virat edges this behind the wicket. Keeper Verreynne takes a simple catch. Virat isn't happy with this.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 107/5 vs SA
IND vs SA Live: Pull from Rahul
FOUR! Short from Kagiso Rabada. KL Rahul pulls this towards backward square leg for a boundary. Superb shot from the right hander.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 107/4 vs SA
India vs South Africa: Glorious from Virat
FOUR! What a shot from Virat. The right hander his this wide of backward point. 'What a drive' - Gavaskar says from the commentary box.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 102/4 vs SA
IND vs SA Live: KL comes to the crease
KL Rahul is the new batter at the crease. KL has been in ominous touch and India will need another god partnership here. KL's Test average is 33.44.
India vs South Africa: Rabada removes Iyer
WICKET! Kagiso Rabada castles Shreyas Iyer for 31. The South Africa strikes just after lunch. This is the first over after lunch and Rabada does the job for his team. He breaks this solid stand. Iyer isn't happy at all. He shakes his head in disappointment and walking back.
India vs South Africa Live Score: IND 92/4 vs SA
IND vs SA Live: Welcome back! Second session is underway
Welcome back! Virat Kohli and Shreyas are making their way to the middle. Kagiso Rabada will start the proceedings. The post lunch session is underway.
India vs South Africa: LUNCH REPORT
India reached 91 for three against South Africa at lunch on the first day of the opening Test of the two-match series on Tuesday.
Invited to bat, India were in a spot of bother at 24 for three before Virat Kohli (33 not out) and Shreyas Iyer (31 not out) rode on luck to stabilise the visitors' innings with unbeaten 67 runs for the fourth wicket.
Left-arm pacer Nandre Burger (2/23), who made his Test debut, looked dangerous while Kagiso Rabada (1/15) picked up the other wicket as South Africa managed 26 overs in the first session.
Earlier, the toss was delayed due to wet patches on the outfield.
India handed Test debut to pacer Prasidh Krishna while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was unavailable for the series-opener due to back spasm.
India are aiming for their maiden Test series win in South Africa.
IND vs SA: That's LUNCH on Day 1
India 91/3 at lunch on Day 1 against South Africa in Centurion. (Kohli 33*, Iyer 31*; Burger 2/23)
English (US)