Ahead of the Boxing Day Test match between India and South Africa, KL Rahul is in focus after having scored a century as a Test opener in South Africa two years ago. India is aiming to win a Test series in South Africa, a feat they have not achieved in their 31-year history of playing there. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, is hoping to end this wait and is also dealing with the absence of Mohammed Shami, who has been described as a big miss by the skipper. Despite concerns, Rahul Dravid has expressed confidence in KL Rahul's capabilities, even as a wicketkeeper, stating that it's 'not an issue,' despite him having started only one first-class match in that role. Rohit Sharma has expressed his 'desperation' to win the series in South Africa. The first Test at Centurion faces weather challenges, with a major rain threat on the opening day and delays due to wet outfield. The toss was eventually won by South Africa's Temba Bavuma, who chose to bowl first, and Prasidh Krishna made his debut. India's innings faced difficulties with Kagiso Rabada taking a five-wicket haul, his maiden against India, but KL Rahul fought back with a resilient half-century. The day ended prematurely with India at 208/8 after 59 overs due to rain.
Rabada gives South Africa early advantage in first Test against India https://t.co/5wrZyJGKHF
Day 1 of India vs South Africa 1st Test in Centurion called off due to rain. Team India 208/8 after 59 overs. (Source: BCCI) https://t.co/nTpTtFclVN
This is Kagiso Rabada's maiden Test five-for against India ๐๏ธ He had 44 wickets in 12 Tests vs India before today #SAvIND https://t.co/KWdMgT6EGn
With India 208-8, the match has been delayed due to bad light โ๏ธ #SAvIND
Not opening? No problem. KL Rahul's 14th Test 5โฃ0โฃ holds India's innings in trying conditions ๐ Tune in to the 1st #SAvIND Test LIVE NOW | @StarSportsIndia https://t.co/DqE7lL7NJ9
Wickets falling all around him. A tough wicket to bat on. And KL Rahul shows his class with a quality innings ๐ https://t.co/ijBl1mtJIA | #SAvIND https://t.co/taASWvRXDI
Kagiso Rabada is such a special bowlerโฆ makes South Africaโs retreat from Test cricket even sadder https://t.co/cjOjs1JqZt
KL Rahul is still putting in the fight as Rabada's five-for rattles India ๐ฟ https://t.co/ijBl1mtJIA | #SAvIND https://t.co/REGfGaFtXv
Imperious from KL - he's holding his own amid some top bowling from South Africa Tune in to the 1st #SAvIND Test LIVE NOW | @StarSportsIndia https://t.co/Z8OOJ2FIZn
He's unstoppable! A high-quality five-wicket haul for Kagiso Rabada ๐ฅ ๐ https://t.co/ijBl1mtJIA | #SAvIND https://t.co/ssIweKQKSU
Rabada on South African pitches reminds one of the mighty West Indian pacers on Carribbean picthes (Kingston especially) of a bygone era with his sublime pace, swing & sheer lethality.
Rohit Sharma doesn't like facing Kagiso Rabada in Tests ๐ #SAvIND https://t.co/lZJEdnqwzT
โ๏ธ Rohit bounced out โ๏ธ Shreyas bowled with a beauty โ๏ธ Kohli nicked off with a beauty RABADA ON FIRE! https://t.co/IUA6i0vO6t
South Africa claimed three early wickets but missed what could prove to be two crucial chances on the first morning of the first Test against India in Centurion on Tuesday โก๏ธ https://t.co/fngP221NsK #AFPSports #SAvIND https://t.co/Gm63zFeGhH
#INDvsSA #INDvSA 1st Test India fight back after Nandre Burger's fast start LUNCH REPORT: https://t.co/1xZp9iOx5G
Easily done: Shreyas flicks the Test's first 6โฃ Tune in to the 1st #SAvIND Test LIVE NOW | @StarSportsIndia https://t.co/KnsmWNLNCW
1st Test, Centurion: India 91/3 at lunch on day-1 against South Africa with Virat Kohli unbeaten on 33 and Shreyas Iyer batting on 31
South Africa were off to a flying start, then Kohli and Shreyas were dropped, and both have looked pretty good since ๐ https://t.co/ijBl1mtJIA | #SAvIND https://t.co/lnmyGOtnMC
Only three teams have beaten SA at the SuperSport Park in Centurion The last team was India ๐ #SAvIND https://t.co/uKRAUj7e31
South Africa put India to bat in first Test; Prasidh Krishna makes debut Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/oqgKFVZcl8 #India #SouthAfrica #RohitSharma #IndvsSA #Testseries https://t.co/iiIHxJVIhM
Temba Bavuma wins the toss and South Africa will bowl first #SAvIND
Wet outfield delays start of first test between S. Africa, India https://t.co/6IoJ7m3bTc https://t.co/MffnVsugxo
#INDvSA #INDvsSA #BoxingDayTest Toss delayed due to wet outfield at SuperSport Park in Centurion ๐ FOLLOW LIVE ๐ https://t.co/t1WF3cL7X5 https://t.co/C9Zh0rxHvX
The toss and start of play between South Africa and India in Centurion has been delayed due to wet patches on the outfield Further inspection at 10:00 AM local time (1.30 PM IST) #SAvIND
The toss and start of the 1st Test between South Africa and India have been delayed due to wet patches on the outfield. Further inspection at 10:00 AM (1.30 PM IST): BCCI https://t.co/XKvFLxGXS3
In 2021-22, South Africa took the series 2-1 against India ๐ With just two Tests this time around, what score line are you expecting? ๐ค https://t.co/Ujp130kt2r #SAvIND https://t.co/oGejZFOhZC
#INDvSA | 1st Test | Centurion weather forecast Major rain threat on opening day DETAILS: https://t.co/6yRH6aODpb #cricket #INDvsSA #RohitSharma https://t.co/h7yvHkaRp4
Rohit Sharma will be playing for the first time since the #CWC23 final loss ๐ฃ https://t.co/3eQKdIDLhp #SAvIND https://t.co/ceSxOCEBt3
Series win in South Africa could be act as a 'balm' for World Cup defeat says Rohit Sharma #SAvIND https://t.co/9JCLSrMAXM
Rohit Sharma's team will be eyeing history #SAvIND https://t.co/CUKythGN0H
Rohit Sharma said he's 'desperate' to win a Test series in South Africa - not too different when asked about next year's T20 World Cup ๐ https://t.co/3eQKdIDLhp | #SAvIND https://t.co/013JeXjC4w
#RohitSharma #INDvsSA #SAvIND You will get an answer for sure in due course: @ImRo45 on his T20I future https://t.co/K2yLuNkpXt
"Shami will be a..." Rohit Sharma ahead of first Test against South Africa READ: https://t.co/rSfWZwYSzf #MohammedShami #INDvSA #INDvsSA #RohitSharma @MdShami11 @ImRo45 https://t.co/6dwZTiqFuO
"Shami will be a big miss for us," says Indian skipper Rohit ahead of 1st South Africa Test Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/os26ejcH3Q #MohammedShami #RohitSharma #cricket #TeamIndia #INDvsSA https://t.co/0gvEhWFs4X
Test series wins everywhere but South Africa - will India have a successful safari this time?๐ค #SAVIND https://t.co/CxPYT65heV
KL Rahul, already one of the best in the world in the ODI middle order, will want to prove he is good enough to master two formats at the same time Sid Monga โ๏ธ | #SAvIND
Rohit Sharma & Co hope to end 31-year wait for Test series win in South Africa PREVIEW: https://t.co/rQQRory8dU #INDvSA #RohitSharma #INDvsSA https://t.co/JK442muNhU
From the India vs South Africa archives Mohammed Shami's five-wicket haul in 2018 Johannesburg Test WATCH: https://t.co/bgOclHVLoc #INDvSA #MohammeShami #INDvsSA https://t.co/IeEiULArxM
KL Rahul has started only one first-class match as the designated wicketkeeper But, that's not an issue says Rahul Dravid: https://t.co/KlELm4VsZX | #SAvIND https://t.co/9MgR0jPaDa
India target unconquered 'final frontier' in South Africa SA is the only regular Test-playing nation where India have yet to win a series. The upcoming two-Test series begins with the opening game starting Dec 26. READ: https://t.co/AWmGJRZkSt #INDvSA #RohitSharma #INDvSA https://t.co/WSxqMj5Gve
A little over two years ago, KL Rahul became only the second ๐ฎ๐ณ Test opener to score a century in South Africa ๐ฏ He's back in focus ahead of India's next Boxing Day game ๐ https://t.co/YCijNlGa47 #SAvIND https://t.co/kr5Lk8py9Y