IND vs SA, India’s tour of South Africa 2021, Centurion: In the midst of overcast conditions, KL Rahul‘s century put up a show to put India in charge.
After an unusual decision to bat first was announced from captain Kohli, India had to start well for justification. That decision was on point as KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal put up a 117 run opening stand.
India lost three wickets to the day and every wicket was taken by Lungi Ngidi. The condition was favorable to bowl and a bowling attack of this quality can be venomous. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen despite bowling well went wicketless.
IND vs SA 2021, India wins the first session.
The first session as the experts say is very important was claimed by the Indian pair of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. They started slowly against some quality bowling but eventually took over the game.
The aggressor was Mayank Agarwal, countering hard against the South African bowlers. His inning consisted of nine boundaries out of which the majority came on the on-side via flick. He had a lucky moment from a dropped catch by Quinton de Kock behind the wicket.
It is always difficult to bat in the South African condition but the Indian vice-captain made it look easy. His touch and concentration were so good that he didn’t give the opposition a wicket opportunity.
The session was finished in which 28 overs were bowled. The Indian batters managed to score 83 runs at the run rate of 2.96.
South Africa bounces back in the second session.
Play resumed in a similar fashion but Mayank after completing his 50 went a bit passive. And on the other end, KL Rahul shifted gears.
But in the 41st over, Lungi Ngidi gave South Africa the way back into the game. First, it was Mayank Agarwal(60) trapped LBW which has to be referred after being given not out by the umpire. Then followed a golden duck for Cheteshwar Pujara(0). Caught on short-leg via inside-edge and an easy catch for Keegan Petersen.
The game was slipping a bit from the hands of the Indian team and South Africa were now more confident than ever to start a collapse. On the crease was now the skipper Virat Kohli who is passing from a century slump.
He with KL Rahul started building a partnership. The 29 overs session ended, India scored 74 runs with a run rate of 2.55.
IND vs SA 2021: India finishes on a high note.
Virat Kohli started the proceeding with a sublime flick to deep Square-leg in Keshav Maharaj’s over. That continued for some time and India managed to build a partnership of 82 runs.
Lungi Ngidi then in the 69th over got his third breakthrough in the form of Virat Kohli(35). A lose shot from the Indian captain as the ball was well outside the off-stump and there was no need to reach it.
In the meantime, KL Rahul brought up his century in 218 balls. His seventh career century. Another partnership was forming and this one unlike the previous one remained not out to finish the day.
KL Rahul(122* – 248 – 17/1).
Ajinkya Rahane(40* – 81 – 8/0).
Lungi Ngidi(17 – 4 – 45 – 3).
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