Centurion, Dec 26 (FN Agency) A stroke-filled century by vice-captain KL Rahul helped India reach 272/3 at stumps on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa here at SuperSport Park on Boxing Day (Sunday). Rahul along with his Karnataka teammate Mayank Agarwal set the tone of the match for India with a 117-run opening partnership. South Africa fought back with Lungi Ngidi picking up three wickets but Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane saw off the first day with their unbeaten 122 and 40 not out, respectively. Despite going through a lean phase, India gave Rahane another opportunity to silence his critics. And the top-order batter ably did so with his belligerent knock which saw eight boundaries. Rahane kept timing the ball beautifully, while Rahul stood tall for India with his seventh Test ton under his belt. Mayank and Rahul gave the visitors a solid start after India elected to bat first. The openers ruled the first session as inexperienced South Africa adjusted to the format. The Proteas last played the red-ball cricket in June-July, while Men in Blue wore the whites recently in the first week of December.
Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi kept the things tight in their opening spells, which also saw a half-hearted review for caught behind when Rahul was on zero. Meanwhile, Marco Jensen had a disappointing debut for South Africa. The left-arm fast bowler Jensen conceded 61 runs and missed an opportunity to take his maiden Test wicket, when Mayank nicked the ball but wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock dropped and gave the Indian opener a life on 36. Ngidi covered up for the South African attack as India suffered a hiccup in the second session. The pacer dismissed Mayank and Cheteshwar Pujara before missing a hat-trick. While Mayank (60) was trapped leg-before after a review, Pujara (0) got a thick inside edge and gave a catch at short leg. India captain, who faced the hat-trick ball, decided to leave the ball and the visitors reached 157 for the loss of two wickets at tea. After resumption, vice-captain Rahul and skipper Kohli continued to keep the score board ticking. India, who were on 199, lost their captain as Kohli (35) edged to first slip and became Ngidi’s third victim of the day.