Twitter Reactions: KLassy Rahul and sedate Agarwal help India dominate proceedings on Day 1

KL Rahul started the day with caution, but once he got his eye in, the right-hander imposed his will on the proceedings.

By R Sai Siddhharth

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4 Min Read

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal
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KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. (Photo Source: BCCI)

KL Rahul was ‘KLass’ personified on Day 1 of the first Test match against South Africa. The opener started the day with caution, slowly got his eye in, and then imposed his will on the proceedings. And at the end of the day, the right-hander was unbeaten on 122 as India ended Day 1 at a commanding 272/3.

Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul laid the foundation for the Indian side with a solid 117-run opening stand. Agarwal was initially the aggressor, with Rahul happy to play second fiddle. Agarwal struck some fluent boundaries when the ball was still hard and new, with the 3 fours that he struck in the 10th over off Marco Jansen being the highlight.

South Africa tasted success in the 41st over of the Indian innings, as Lungi Ngidi trapped Agarwal plumb in front of the stumps. The opener departed after contributing a handsome 60.

Cheteshwar Pujara departs for a first-ball duck

Immediately off the next delivery, Lungi Ngidi struck again and scalped the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara for a duck. Pujara tried to defend a delivery that pitched outside off stump and came in a fraction, the ball took the inside half of the willow and the fielder who was positioned at a widish short leg completed the formalities.

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul then stitched together a vital 82-run stand for the third wicket. The Indian skipper looked sedate out in the middle in his 94-ball stay. The highlight of the master batsman’s innings was a picturesque cover drive that he struck off Kagiso Rabada in the 61st over of the match.

But then, just when it seemed as if Kohli would kick on and get a big score, the 33-year-old departed after playing a loose shot. To a wide delivery from Ngidi, Kohli went for a half-hearted drive, the ball took the edge of his willow and settled into the hands of Wiann Mulder in the slip cordon, and Kohli walked back for 35.

Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul stitch together an unbeaten 73-run stand

After Kohli’s departure, Ajinkya Rahane came out and played some fluent shots. The veteran right-hander combined caution and aggression with equal measure and ended the day unbeaten on 40. And, the unbeaten 73-run partnership between Rahul and Rahane helped India see off the day with ease. It was a long and tiring day at the office for the South African bowlers, as the Indian batters made merry.

Here are the reactions from Twitter

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