New Delhi: Eyebrows were raised when Virat Kohli invited South Africa to bowl first after winning the toss despite overcast conditions and a green pitch on offer but openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal (60) justified their captain's big decision by bringing up a 117-run stand for 1st wicket. KL Rahul's ton and marvelous fifty from Mayank Agarwal powered India to 271/3 at Stumps on day 1 of Ind vs SA 1st Test at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.
The masterclass first wicket partnership from the duo also saw KL Rahul (122*) rebuilding India's innings with a hard-fought ton after speedster Lungi Ngidi pegged the visitors back by dismissing Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara (0) off back-to-back deliveries.
Resuming the final session of the day at 157/2, Virat and Rahul showcased some great batting strokes to ensure India doesn't lose another quick wicket after those early blows. Runs kept coming from both ends but Virat, yet again after getting off to a great start, failed to convert it into a big knock and was dismissed on just 35 by Ngidi.
Rahane joined Rahul when India's score read 199/3 and the former kept the momentum in India's favour. The partnership kept the scoreboard ticking till the end of day's play.
India playing XI: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa playing XI: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi