(Cricket News) Rabada put South Africa completely ahead with a five-fer, but Rahul’s crucial fifty while rallying with the lower order ensured India went past 200 before rain arrived, bringing an early end to the day’s play. Rabada and Rahul were the stars of a rain-hit opening day in Centurion as India dragged themselves to 208/8 by stumps.

South Africa struck quickly in the morning session, despite Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma having opened the scoring with three boundaries in the first four overs. Rabada removed Rohit with a short ball, and then debutant Nandre Burger put India under pressure by taking the wickets of Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. With their top order gone in just 12 overs, India needed a solid partnership to save face.

Rabada broke through Iyer’s defense in the first over of play after lunch, taking a massive wicket and putting India in further trouble by getting rid of the big fish. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then rode their luck, both of them missing crucial opportunities to hit some crucial boundaries on either side. They added 67 for the third wicket to guide India to safety by lunch, but South Africa did not allow the momentum to shift.

With half the side back in the pavilion within 31 overs, India’s hopes rested on Rahul, assuming a new role in the format by batting in the middle order, and on R Ashwin, who had been selected in lieu of the injured Ravindra Jadeja. Rabada continued to make inroads though, as he first dismissed Ashwin before completing his five-fer by getting rid of Shardul Thakur, who looked very promising while batting out in the middle. Kohli, who was looking excellent at 38, edged one behind as Rabada bowled a peach.

With no other choice, Rahul opened by hitting Burger for a four and a six off back-to-back deliveries to reach his fifty. Marco Jansen, on the other end, opened his account by dismissing Jasprit Bumrah, but Rahul kept getting important boundaries and appeared to be in danger at one point. However, rain came before he could do any more damage.

Brief scores: India 208/8 (KL Rahul 70*, Virat Kohli 38; Kagiso Rabada 5/44, Nandre Burger 2/50)

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