The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket crew had a troublesome day in workplace because it misplaced eight wickets on method to attain 208 at stumps on the primary day of the primary day of the primary Take a look at towards South Africa. India have by no means gained a Take a look at collection within the ‘Rainbow Nation’ and for the reason that present collection is just a two-match affair, the margin of error can be much less. On Tuesday, in a rain-curtailed Day of the first Take a look at, after the top-order failed, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer stitched a superb stand. Nonetheless, it was KL Rahul’s unbeaten 70 off 105 balls that was essential in India going previous 200-run mark.

Former Indian cricket crew captain Sunil Gavaskar sounded optimistic nevertheless. “India have nice probability. This can be a very tough pitch to bat,” Sunil Gavaskar stated on Star Sports activities.

He earlier stated that India will stroll into 2024 with a win below their belt.  “I feel they’ll as a result of I feel South Africa are usually not fairly the identical. Additionally, the South African batters aren’t fairly in kind and that offers India a terrific alternative to win this recreation,” Gavaskar informed Star Sports activities.

“Indian batters, then again, have been in prime kind in all of the matches. As you have seen, they’ve expertise on their facet with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma taking part in right here many occasions earlier than. So, clearly, I feel India will rejoice the New Yr with a win.”

Rain performed spoilsport as nearly all of the third session was dominated out on Day 1 of the primary Take a look at between India and South Africa on Tuesday on the SuperSport Park.

On the finish of Day 1, India posted a complete of 208/8 in 59 overs with KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj unbeaten with respective scores of 70(105)* and 0(10)*.

KL Rahul fought valiantly all through the time that he spent on the sphere. Whereas the remainder of the batters failed to beat Kagiso Rabada, he fought with vigour to take India’s rating previous the 200-run mark. Siraj additionally confirmed endurance throughout the 10 balls that he confronted he confronted.

The one casualty within the ultimate session was Jasprit Bumrah, who misplaced his endurance and ended up shedding his wicket to Marco Jansen after taking part in 19 balls.

4 wickets fell within the second session and all of them belonged to Rabada. His tempo left India’s batters with none solutions because the pacer thrived on a floor that offered further bounce.

He shifted the tides within the favour of the Proteas by dismissing set batter Shreyas Iyer for 31 after lunch.

Three overs later he dismissed Virat Kohli for 38 with a stunning outswinging supply. Ravichandran Ashwin misplaced his wicket with a fierce but correct bouncer.

He struck Shardul Thakur on his arm and on the following ball eliminated him from the crease for a rating of 24.

KL Rahul then again, confirmed aggression in his pictures however saved his temperament as nicely. Earlier than the session was known as off, he bought struck under his chin and acquired on-field therapy for it as nicely.

With ANI inputs