21:00 (IST)
That brings us to the end of our coverage of Day 1 of the first Test between South Africa and India at the Supersport Park, Centurion, with the visitors getting off to a solid start in their quest for a maiden Test series win on South African soil, collecting nearly 300 runs for the loss of three wickets with Rahul standing strong and bringing up his ton in another impressive display from the stand-in vice-captain. He will hope to keep the party going and convert this into a ‘daddy hundred’ tomorrow. The Proteas, on the other hand, need early wickets if they are to restrict the Indians to a manageable total and keep their chances of victory in this game alive.
Do join us tomorrow at noon for our coverage of Day 2. For now, we bid you good night!
20:55 (IST)
After 90 overs,India 272/3 ( KL Rahul 122 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)
Keshav Maharaj bowls out the final over of the day, signing off with a maiden. India end the day on a commanding position, collecting 272 runs along the way after opting to bat, losing three wickets along the way with Cheteshwar Pujara the only Indian batter to not get off to a start. KL Rahul’s continues to shine away from home with his second overseas ton of 2021 after his 129 at Lord’s. Rahane, meanwhile, is off to an impressive start, racing away to 40 with the help of eight boundaries.
20:48 (IST)
After 89 overs,India 272/3 ( KL Rahul 122 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)
Ngidi’s back. Was a one-over break after all, perhaps a quick trip to the loo. Keeps things tight as he collects his fourth maiden of the day. One more over to go before stumps. South Africa’s over rate has been pretty good today, all the more commendable given the number of teams that get penalised for slow over-rate these days.
20:45 (IST)
After 88 overs,India 272/3 ( KL Rahul 122 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)
Keshav Maharaj returns as Dean Elgar decides to do away with the Rabada-Ngidi new ball combo with stumps just around the corner. Six from the over, including a boundary to Rahul off the final delivery as the opener punches off the backfoot through point.
20:44 (IST)
After 87 overs,India 266/3 ( KL Rahul 116 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)
Mulder returns, replacing Ngidi with a ball that is five-and-a-half overs old at the moment. Concedes a couple of runs, with Rahane and Rahul collecting a single each, the former moving to 40 off 75 balls.
20:37 (IST)
After 86 overs,India 264/3 ( KL Rahul 115 , Ajinkya Rahane 39)
FOUR! An authoritative hook from Rahane off a short ball from Rabada in the fourth delivery of this over. The India No 5 moves to 38 with that shot, having collected eight boundaries in his stay so far. Turns out to be a no ball, with Rabada overstepping yet again. Rahane retains the strike with a single off the last delivery. Four overs to go for stumps.
20:32 (IST)
After 85 overs,India 258/3 ( KL Rahul 115 , Ajinkya Rahane 34)
Some challenging deliveries from Ngidi in this over, with the third delivery jagging back in and sailing over the stumps after Rahane decided to leave it alone. Just one from the over, with Rahane pinching a single off the fifth.
20:30 (IST)
After 84 overs,India 257/3 ( KL Rahul 115 , Ajinkya Rahane 33)
FOUR! Rabada squares Rahul up with a brute of a delivery that rears up from short of length, with the opener getting an outside edge that sends the ball flying over the slip cordon, and away to the third man fence. Four from the over.
20:23 (IST)
After 83 overs,India 253/3 ( KL Rahul 111 , Ajinkya Rahane 33)
It’s Ngidi and Rabada bowling in tandem with the new ball for the second time today, the former replacing Jansen from the Pavilion End and starting off a new spell with a maiden.
20:22 (IST)
After 82 overs,India 253/3 ( KL Rahul 111 , Ajinkya Rahane 33)
Rabada returns to the attack after the second new ball has been taken, replacing Maharaj. Starts his spell on a tidy note, giving away just two. Rahane, meanwhile, is batting in the 30s at the moment.
20:21 (IST)
After 81 overs,India 251/3 ( KL Rahul 110 , Ajinkya Rahane 32)
The Proteas take the second new ball midway through the over. Rahane dispatches the first delivery bowled with the brand new cherry for a boundary with an crisply-timed cover drive. He had earlier collected a brace off the second ball.
20:21 (IST)
FOUR! Rahane drives the ball through the covers first delivery after the second new ball has been taken, bringing up the fifty partnership with Rahul as well as the 250 for the visitors in the proces. IND 251/3
20:09 (IST)
After 80 overs,India 245/3 ( KL Rahul 110 , Ajinkya Rahane 26)
Just one slip and a catching extra cover in place for Ajinkya Rahane. Later, a silly point is brought in. Tidy over from Maharaj, with just one coming from it. The second new ball is now available for the Proteas.
20:07 (IST)
After 79 overs,India 244/3 ( KL Rahul 110 , Ajinkya Rahane 25)
Jansen replaces Mulder with a couple of overs left for the second new ball to be made available. Rahul collects a brace off the first delivery, before collecting a streaky boundary three balls later, getting a thick edge off an attempted cut that sends the ball flying over the slip cordon. Six from the over.
20:04 (IST)
After 78 overs,India 238/3 ( KL Rahul 104 , Ajinkya Rahane 25)
Rahul blocks his way through the first four deliveries of the over, before driving Maharaj through point in the penultimate delivery to bring up his seventh Test hundred, and his second this year after the 129 at Lord’s. Superb knock from the opener, who further solidifies himself as the first-choice opener across formats.
20:00 (IST)
FOUR! CENTURY NO 7 FOR KL RAHUL IN TEST CRICKET! The India opener brings up the milestone for the second time this year, after his marvellous 129 at Lord’s during the trip to England in the summer. Brings up the milestone with a boundary off Maharaj, consuming 218 deliveries so far.
19:58 (IST)
After 77 overs,India 233/3 ( KL Rahul 99 , Ajinkya Rahane 25)
Rahul moves to 99 with a single off the third delivery, before Rahane adds another boundary to his account with a lovely flick through the square leg region off a full delivery from Mulder. His timing has been impressive so far today. Looks like a man in good nick who’s out at the centre with a purpose.
19:53 (IST)
After 76 overs,India 228/3 ( KL Rahul 98 , Ajinkya Rahane 21)
Rahul moves to 98 with a single at the start of Maharaj’s 14th over. Five dots follow. Another four overs to go before the second new ball is made available.
19:50 (IST)
After 75 overs,India 227/3 ( KL Rahul 97 , Ajinkya Rahane 21)
Mulder continues after drinks. Rahul collects a single off the second delivery, with Rahane collecting his fifth boundary with a solid punch through cover off the last ball to move to 21.
19:47 (IST)
After 74 overs,India 222/3 ( KL Rahul 96 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)
Spin brought back as Maharaj replaces Jansen. Five from the over, including a boundary to Rahane off the third delivery, getting on the backfoot and punching a short-of-length ball through cover point. The India No 5 is off to a confident start in what could be his final appearance in a while if he fails to get a big score, with Shreyas Iyer’s dream debut at Kanpur making him an ideal replacement for the spot. Drinks brought to the field at the end of this over.
19:41 (IST)
After 73 overs,India 217/3 ( KL Rahul 95 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)
Mulder replaces Ngidi, with three runs coming from this over, two of those collected by Rahul as he moves to 95.
19:35 (IST)
After 72 overs,India 214/3 ( KL Rahul 93 , Ajinkya Rahane 12)
Rahul collects a single off the first ball, moving to 93 in the process. Rahane flicks an near-worker from Jansen through the midwicket region to collect his third fours, moving to double figures with all his runs having come in boundaries. Edge off Rahane’s bat falls short of second slip in the last ball. Five from the over.
19:32 (IST)
After 71 overs,India 209/3 ( KL Rahul 92 , Ajinkya Rahane 8)
Another boundary for Rahane, going for an aerial drive over point off a full delivery from Ngidi in the fifth ball of the over. Could’ve been a risky shot had Elgar placed a fielder in that direction. An under-pressure Rahane, who is fighting for his spot with Test newcomer Shreyas Iyer, will need every bit of luck if he is to keep his place in the side. Five from the over.
19:29 (IST)
After 70 overs,India 204/3 ( KL Rahul 91 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)
Tidy over from Jansen, with just one coming from it as Rahul nicks a single off the third delivery. Sharp delivery to Rahane off the fourth by the debutant, the back-of-length delivery squaring up the batter and travelling rather close to that outside edge.
19:25 (IST)
After 69 overs,India 203/3 ( KL Rahul 90 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)
The consecutive maidens does make Kohli a tad impatient, and the India skipper pays the price as he attempts to drive away from the body a full, wide delivery that moves away late, resulting in an edge to the slips. Former vice-captain joins the current vice-captain as Ajinkya Rahane walks to the crease, getting off the mark with a boundary and bringing up the 200 for the visitors. Four runs and a wicket from another successful over from Ngidi.
19:18 (IST)
OUT! Kohli’s wait for his 71st international ton continues! Ngidi fires a full wide delivery that moves away late. Kohli, getting slightly impatient after the back-to-back maidens, decides to poke at the ball, getting a thick edge that is promptly pouched at first slip. IND 199/3
Kohli c Mulder b Ngidi 35(94)
19:16 (IST)
After 68 overs,India 199/2 ( KL Rahul 90 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)
Change from both ends with Elgar opting for pace from both ends by having Jansen replace Maharaj from the Hennops River End. Back-to-back maidens for the Proteas after the 12-run over by Maharaj.
19:13 (IST)
After 67 overs,India 199/2 ( KL Rahul 90 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)
Lungi Ngidi, the only bowler to have opened his wickets column today, replaces Rabada. Starts off the new spell with a maiden.
19:07 (IST)
After 66 overs,India 199/2 ( KL Rahul 90 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)
Single off each of the first two deliveries. Rahul then gets on the backfoot and whips the ball past the diving mid on to collect another boundary. Rahul then decides to dance down the track, lofting the ball towards the vacant long on region, getting enough timing on the shot to clear the rope. He’s batting on 90 at the end of this over, in which 12 runs are added to the Indian total.
19:05 (IST)
After 65 overs,India 187/2 ( KL Rahul 79 , Virat Kohli (C) 34)
Rabada continues to overstep — happens twice in this over. Four from the over, with Rahul and Kohli also collecting a single each.
18:59 (IST)
After 64 overs,India 183/2 ( KL Rahul 78 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)
Kohli gets an inside edge in the penultimate delivery of Maharaj’s 11th over, the ball deflecting off his pad and going wide of a leaping Markram at slip. Allows the skipper to collect a single, the only run conceded by the spinner in this over.
18:56 (IST)
After 63 overs,India 182/2 ( KL Rahul 78 , Virat Kohli (C) 32)
Consecutive no balls by Rabada while bowling the third delivery, followed by Rahul leaning in and dispatching a full delivery through the extra cover region for a boundary. Six from the over.
18:53 (IST)
After 62 overs,India 176/2 ( KL Rahul 74 , Virat Kohli (C) 32)
Tidy over from Maharaj, with two runs off it, Rahul and Kohli collecting a single each.
18:48 (IST)
After 61 overs,India 174/2 ( KL Rahul 73 , Virat Kohli (C) 31)
Rahul’s surprised by the awkward bounce generated by Rabada after the latter hits the deck hard while shortening his length. Manages to pull it towards long leg nevertheless, completing the fifty-partnership with Kohli in the process. Kohli then leans into an overpitched delivery to drive it through the point region for a boundary. The pair keep the scoreboard ticking with a single off each of the next three balls. Eight from the over.
18:47 (IST)
FIfty partnership up between KL Rahul and Virat Kohli for the third wicket, the former bringing up the milestone with a single off Kagiso Rabada. IND 167/2
18:45 (IST)
After 60 overs,India 166/2 ( KL Rahul 71 , Virat Kohli (C) 25)
Kohli and Rahul collect a single each off the first two balls of this over, before Kohli gets on the backfoot to whip a short of length ball through midwicket. Six from the over.
18:40 (IST)
After 59 overs,India 160/2 ( KL Rahul 70 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)
KG Rabada returns to the attack. Bit of confusion over a single at the start of the over, with Rahul a late in responding to Kohli’s call for a quick single after blocking the delivery. The fielder running in from point and tries to kick the ball onto the stumps, and ends up conceding an overthrow. Kohli collects a single four deliveries later. Two from the over.
18:38 (IST)
After 58 overs,India 158/2 ( KL Rahul 69 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)
Quiet start to the post-tea session, with KL Rahul collecting a single off the first ball, moving to 69. Just one conceded by Maharaj in the first over of the evening session.
18:34 (IST)
We’re back after the 20-minute interval. Keshav Maharaj to begin the proceedings after tea. KL Rahul on strike. Will India end the day on top? Or will the Proteas claw back with a flurry of wickets?
18:16 (IST)
After 57 overs,India 157/2 ( KL Rahul 68 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)
Tea has been called on Day 1, with India still in a relatively comfortable position despite losing the wickets of Agarwal and Pujara off consecutive deliveries, thanks to a steady partnership between skipper Kohli and his deputy Rahul, the latter well set on 67 at the end of the session. Five from the final over of the session, including a boundary to Rahul in which the opener casually flicks a full delivery from Mulder through midwicket off the first ball, and collects a single two deliveries later. Partnership between the current pair worth 40 at the moment.
18:09 (IST)
After 56 overs,India 152/2 ( KL Rahul 63 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)
Outside edge off Kohli’s bat stays low, beats slip and runs away to third man, allowing Kohli to grab a treble off the first ball and bring up the 150 for the Indians. Rahul collects a single off the next delivery. Four from the over
18:06 (IST)
After 55 overs,India 148/2 ( KL Rahul 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)
Healthy nick off Rahul’s bat doesn’t quite carry to the slip cordon in the fourth delivery, falling short of Markram at 2nd slip. Big shout for LBW against the vice-captain next ball, with the Proteas sounding quite confident, though umpire Erasmus isn’t convinced and Elgar doesn’t opt to review it either. Should be another over or two before tea.
18:01 (IST)
After 54 overs,India 148/2 ( KL Rahul 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)
Gentle push down the ground by Rahul in the third delivery of this over, the only run conceded by Maharaj off his sixth.
17:58 (IST)
After 53 overs,India 147/2 ( KL Rahul 61 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)
Tough change put down by Jansen at fine leg after Rahul goes for a short-arm pull off Mulder in the fourth delivery of this over. The debutant had a lot of distance to cover running in from deep backward square, allowing the batter a single. Against a team like India, even the half-chances need to be grabbed with both hands. Kohli works the ball through square leg next ball for a brace. Three from the over.
17:56 (IST)
Some coincidence there
Cheteshwar Pujara has now been out first ball twice in Test cricket:
run out by Lungi Ngidi at Centurion 2018
ct off Ngidi at Centurion 2021
— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) December 26, 2021
17:55 (IST)
After 52 overs,India 144/2 ( KL Rahul 60 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)
Maiden for Maharaj, the first in the five overs that the left-arm orthodox spinner has bowled so far today.
17:53 (IST)
After 51 overs,India 144/2 ( KL Rahul 60 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)
Rahul moves to 60 with a single off the second delivery, working the ball through the cover-point region off Mulder. Kohli keeps the strike with a single off the last ball. Two from the over.
17:49 (IST)
After 50 overs,India 142/2 ( KL Rahul 59 , Virat Kohli (C) 13)
Two from Maharaj’s fourth over of the day, with Kohli and Rahul collecting a single each. The captain and his deputy, meanwhile, have done well to steady the ship after the dismissals off consecutive deliveries early, the stand currently worth 25.
17:45 (IST)
After 49 overs,India 140/2 ( KL Rahul 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)
Lovely drive by Kohli off Mulder in the penultimate delivery, beating extra cover but unable to get it past Rabada at mid off. Just one from the over. Plenty of sunshine at Centurion at the moment, in contrast to the gloomy conditions earlier in the morning.
17:42 (IST)
After 48 overs,India 139/2 ( KL Rahul 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)
FOUR! Rahul doesn’t let go of an opportunity when it presents itself, driving the full delivery outside off through the covers. Kohli had collected a single a delivery before that boundary, with five coming from the over.
India vs South Africa Live Score, Final Cricket Score and Live Streaming, Latest Updates: Keshav Maharaj bowls out the final over of the day, signing off with a maiden. India end the day on a commanding position, collecting 272 runs along the way after opting to bat, losing three wickets along the way with Cheteshwar Pujara the only Indian batter to not get off to a start. KL Rahul’s continues to shine away from home with his second overseas ton of 2021 after his 129 at Lord’s. Rahane, meanwhile, is off to an impressive start, racing away to 40 with the help of eight boundaries.
1st Test preview: Skipper Virat Kohli will be battling on multiple fronts with an aim to get the tricky team combination right as India have a real shot at winning their first ever away series against South Africa, which is short on experience going into the contest, starting with the Boxing Day Test.
The choice between an untested rookie like Shreyas Iyer and a proven but out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane for the number five slot, is not an enviable one. It’s more like choosing between rock and hard place with fear of unknown being a persistent factor.
Not to mention the hard call on whether Shardul Thakur with far superior skills should be the fifth bowler in place of an ‘over the hill’ Ishant Sharma.
These are not easiest of decisions to make that require copious amounts of tactical acumen mixed in equal proportion with proper communication skills.
In Mumbai, during the New Zealand Test, the team management could “rest” both Rahane and Ishant on the pretext of niggles but if on Sunday, the duo doesn’t figure in the playing eleven, it will be as good as being dropped.
In the last Test, they were “unofficially dropped” and in this one, they will be officially dumped.
Since their historic first visit in 1992, the tour to Rainbow Nation has been an ‘Achilles’ Heel’ for the touring Indian teams and skipper Kohli, who is certainly veering towards the business end of his leadership tenure, will like to achieve a first.
South Africa are no longer the force to reckon with in international cricket as they have been going through a rough transition phase over the past few years.
Ahead of the first Test, here’s all you need to know about when and where to watch the match:
When will the first Test between South Africa and India take place?
The second Test between India and South Africa will take place from 26-30 December, 2021.
What is the venue for South Africa-India match?
The match will take place at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
When will the match start?
The match will begin at 1.30 pm IST. The toss will take place at 1 pm IST on Day 1.
Which TV channels will broadcast India vs South Africa match?
The match will be telecast on Star Sports Network. The live streaming of the match will also be available on Disney + Hotstar. You can also browse Firstpost.com for live updates and over-by-over commentary.
With inputs from PTI