Centurian: As the rain gods showing no mercy, the start of Day 2 of the ongoing first Test between India and South Africa has been delayed on Monday.
Umpires planned to inspect the SuperSport Park pitch at 11.30 AM local time and called for an early lunch break to start at the same time, meaning there would be no play in the morning session in Centurion.
But that inspection was put back an hour and 15 minutes and then delayed again as the rain returned and thunder rumbled over the ground.
“Persistent rain has put a halt to the start of play on Day 2 of the 1st Test of the #FreedomTestSeries at SuperSport Park,” the official handle of Cricket South Africa (CSA) tweeted.
There were a lot of puddles but the drainage at the SuperSport park is good enough to ensure some play, provided the rain stays away from hereon.
An unbeaten century from KL Rahul with good contributions from the top order helped India dominate the first day of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion on Sunday (December 26). At stumps, India were 272 for 3 with Rahul (122) and Ajinkya Rahane (40) in the middle.
Mayank Agarwal had made 60 while Virat Kohli scored 35.
Opting to bat, India got off to a great start as Rahul and Agarwal added 117 runs for the opening wicket before the latter fell for 60. India received a double blow as Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed off the very next delivery, both wickets going to Lungi Ngidi.
Kohli and Rahul helped rebuild the innings, adding 82 runs for the third wicket. Kohli fell 15 short of his half-century while Rahul reached his seventh Test hundred off 218 balls. Rahane played some attractive shots to remain unbeaten at stumps.
Ngidi picking up all three wickets to fall in the day.
