Day 1 of the Boxing Bay Test between India and South Africa was full of ups and downs as bad light and rain brought play to a premature close. Kagiso Rabada bowled brilliantly and ran through the Indian batting order with a five-wicket haul. However, KL Rahul’s gritty knock of 105-ball 70 runs helped India to reach 208/8 at stumps. South African Debutant Nandre Burger took 2 wickets while Marco Jansen picked up one.

Batting first, India failed to have a good start as the Proteas pacers struck with 3 early wickets inside 12 overs. Rabada had the first laugh as he took the important wicket of India’s Skipper Rohit Sharma (5). Burger then took 2 wickets in consecutive overs, giving India a huge blow. The Right-arm Pacer delivered two excellent deliveries to dismiss the young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (17) and Shubman Gill (2).

Indian Star batter Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer batted patiently and added 68 runs to steady the Indian innings. However, Rabada’s pace proved too hot to handle and he cleaned up Iyer for 31. The Right-arm pacer then bowled a stunning delivery to dismiss Kohli for 38.

Ravichandran Ashwin was Rabada’s next wicket as he snagged at second slip for 8 runs. However, Rahul stood as a roadblock for the hosts, who were hoping to dismiss India for less than 200 runs on a seaming track. Rahul continued to bat well as he assumed the responsibility with the tail-end batters and took India past 200. Shardul Thakur played a handy knock of 24. Rahul will look to add more runs in the morning session of Day 2.