India vs South Africa 1st Test Score Updates, Day 1 Highlights: Centurion KL Rahul takes India to 272/3 at stumps against South Africa

India dominated the opening day of the first Test as they scored 272 for 3 at stumps against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion. After the wicket of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (122*) completed his 7th Test hundred and along with Ajinkya Rahane (40*) added an unbeaten 73 runs for the fourth wicket for India. Check live scorecard, ball-by-ball commentary, cricket score online on Times of India.

12:39 (IST) Dec 26

STAT ATTACK: IND vs SA

12:04 (IST) Dec 26

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11:18 (IST) Dec 26

Preparations done. It's time for action

Preparations done ✅ It's time ⏳ Let the game begin 💪🏻 #TeamIndia #SAvIND https://t.co/GZ4G0X8YXU
— BCCI (@BCCI) 1640495238000

10:53 (IST) Dec 26

STAT ATTACK: HEAD TO HEAD (TESTS): INDIA in SA

10:52 (IST) Dec 26

STAT ATTACK: INDIA vs SA - HEAD TO HEAD in TESTS

10:51 (IST) Dec 26

India's tour of South Africa: Itinerary

10:49 (IST) Dec 26

STAT ATTACK: IND vs SA

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

A lot will depend on how Rabada and Oliver start the proceedings.

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

Rishabh Pant's game always goes up a notch or two in adverse conditions and skipper Kohli won't mind if he can make a mincemeat of left-arm spinner Maharaj with those one-handed sixes.

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

In case of Rahane, he is completely out of confidence and that's never a good sign.

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

Iyer, who looks ahead of Rahane in battle for No. 5 slot, would be tested by Duanne Oliver's back of the length deliveries that can rear up on a Centurion track which promises to quicken up as match progresses.

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

But he would need his new deputy KL Rahul to replicate his performance in England and also need Cheteshwar Pujara to score a few runs after having blunted the new Kookaburra if need be.

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

He has been in good form during the net session and South African attack could just be the meal he would like to feast on.

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

But those who know Kohli understand that every little skirmish for him is a platform for a good scrap. In his head, he is someone who loves to fight a good fight and when he perceives the world to be against him, Kohli is at his best.

10:37 (IST) Dec 26

Kohli is also going into the series after taking on the establishment. He made it clear what he thinks of a sitting BCCI president, who also happens to be a distinguished former national skipper.

10:36 (IST) Dec 26

He must be backing himself up to fire in this series.

10:36 (IST) Dec 26

Secondly, Kohli, the best batter in the team, has not scored a Test hundred since 2019 and has an average of less than 30. It does not match the lofty standards that is associated with the Indian skipper.

10:36 (IST) Dec 26

It only helps that Kagiso Rabada will not have the dangerous and world's fastest Anrich Nortje for company in the bowling attack and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj is least of a worry as far as Indian batters are concerned.