On the first day, India lost wickets of Mayank Agarwal (60), Cheteshwar Pujara (Golden Deck) and skipper Virat Kohli (35). All three were dismissed by pacer Lungi Ndigi. Kagiso Rabada, debutants Marco Johnson, Vian Mulder and Keshav Maharaj were also tested in the match by South African captain Dean Elgar, but all of them had to return empty-handed on the first day.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat After dismissing Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari, India decided to give Rahane another chance. India tested a team combination of four pacers and one spinner. R Ashwin was the lone spinner. Shardul Thakur, Jaspreet Bumra, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj will also be at the helm of pace bowling.
Rahul and Mayank, the new opening pair, gave India a good start. The duo added 117 runs for the first wicket. Ngidi gave Mayank a decisive breakthrough by tying Mayank in front of the wicket. Pujara, who arrived at the crease in the next ball, was bowled out by NGD for the first time, which came as a shock to India. But Rahul and Kohli put on 82 for the third wicket as India held on. NGD split the alliance by dismissing Kohli, who was batting in excellent form. Vian Mulder easily caught on the slip when Kohli Edge tried to make a shot on the ball that went out of the off stump.
Playing XI
India: KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Jaspreet Bumra and Mohammad Siraj.
South Africa – Dean Elgar (capt), Aiden Markram, Keegan Peterson, Rossi Wander Dusen, Temba Bauma, Quinton Decock (wicket-keeper), Vian Mulder, Marco Johnson, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso N Rabgi, Lum.
