Centurion is regarded as South Africa's fortress. They hardly lose a Test match here. However, this Indian team possesses the skill of breaching fortresses. And on the first day of the tour, under testing conditions, they provided a glimpse of that with a near-perfect outing, starting from winning the toss and then dominating the bowling throughout the day.
K.L. Rahul (122*) and Mayank Agarwal (60) seized their chance in the first session and feasted on a relatively inexperienced South African pace attack. There was rustiness in the efforts of Kagiso Rabada & co., and the Indian openers took advantage to add 117. Then Lungi Ngidi provided a double break, getting Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara with consecutive balls.
Virat Kohli (35) and Rahul steadied the ship after that before the former drove one away from his body and edged to the slips. Ajinkya Rahane (40*) showed glimpses of return to form, stitching together a stand with Rahul, who scored his sixth overseas hundred. India finishing the day on 272/3.
The weather on Day 2 is expected to be play spoilsport. According to BCC Weather, there are high chances (almost 80 per cent) of heavy rain throughout the day's play and we will be lucky to have any play in the day.
South Africa would not mind if the entire day is washed out. It will be India's prerogative to make things happen if, and when, play resumes.
Fantasy tips
- If there is any play during the day, expect bowlers to have their say with little bit of moisture on the surface.
- Back Rahane to come up with a significant contribution.
- Under testing conditions for the batters, do not rule out a middle-order collapse for India.