In the opening day of the two-Test series between South Africa and India at Centurion, Kagiso Rabada showcased his bowling prowess, claiming an outstanding five-wicket haul to put South Africa in control after they won the toss. Rabada’s impressive figures of five for 44 in 17 overs played a crucial role in restricting India to 208 for eight before play was halted due to bad light and rain.
This marked Rabada’s 14th five-wicket haul in his 61st Test and his fourth in eight Tests at Centurion, but notably, his first against India. The Proteas captain, Temba Bavuma, trusted Rabada’s ability to chase wickets, and the bowler delivered with a focused and confident performance.
Reflecting on his performance, Rabada expressed satisfaction with his bowling and emphasized his role in taking wickets as not being a burden but rather a job he is focused on. He credited his training, stating that his body and mind felt good, leading to his confidence entering the Test.
While Nandre Burger made an encouraging debut with two wickets for 50 runs in 15 overs, South Africa’s other seamers lacked consistency. Despite the challenging conditions, India’s Lokesh Rahul played a vital role, leading the batting with a resilient 70 not out, helping India reach a total of 208 for eight.
India’s batting coach, Vikram Rathore, praised Rahul’s performance, highlighting his ability to handle tough situations and execute a clear game plan. Rathore acknowledged the challenging pitch conditions and credited Rahul for defending the right balls.
As play was halted due to adverse weather conditions, both teams find themselves in a balanced yet intriguing situation heading into the subsequent days of the Test series.
