IND vs SA | Rahul scores a century (122 *), India strong on the first day against South Africa

India won the toss and elected to bat first. At stumps on the first day, India were 272 for three.

Senior batsman Ajinkya Rahane (122 *) is at the 40 * crease with Rahul (122 *) scoring his seventh Test century. Pacer Lungi Ngidi took all three wickets for India. The duo added 73 runs off 131 balls for the unbeaten fourth wicket. Opener Mayank Agarwal was dismissed for 60. Cheteshwar Pujara (0) and skipper Virat Kohli (35) were the other outfielders. All three wickets went to pacer Lungi Ngidi.

Stumps on Day 1 of the 1st Test.

A brilliant ton from @ klrahul11 as #TeamIndia end the first day on 272/3.

Scorecard – https://t.co/eoM8MqSQgO #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/WwXgVoZd9B

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2021

Rahul and Mayank, the new opening pair, gave India the start they wanted. Both faced the South African pace attack well on a pitch with a pace and bounce that made batting not so easy. The pair were able to build a century partnership for the first wicket. Earlier in the Test, Rahul and Mayank had never even formed a Fifty Plus partnership. Both were responding to this in Centurion.

But in the 41st over, Lungi Ngidi struck with a double. Mayank (60 off 123 balls) was caught in the second ball by LB while Cheteshwar Pujara (0 off 1 ball) was caught by Keegan in the next ball.

Virat Kohli, who joined Rahul for the third wicket, tried to help India win the toss. However, Ngidi struck the third run just before India reached the team score of 200. Kohli, who scored 35 off 94 balls, was the outfield edge in the first slip.

India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test of the series. India started with five bowlers. Four of them are pacers. Shardul Thakur joins the team for his all-round performance. Meanwhile, senior pacer Ishant Sharma missed an opportunity. The other pacers are Mohammad Shami, Jaspreet Bumra and Mohammad Siraj. R Ashwin joins the team as the lone spinner.