Consistent rain at Centurion on Monday resulted in a full day wash out of Day 2 of the first Test match, between South Africa and India. With the next two days’ forecast looking good, and some partial showers predicted on Day 5, India will still hope to get a result in their favour based on their good showing on the first day.
India ended the first day on 272/3 with their centurion K.L. Rahul still in the middle along with Ajinkya Rahane who looked steady with 40. India would want two batters to carry on tomorrow before Rishabh Pant unleases himself. Quick batting can take them close to 400, but even 350 may suffice against an inexperienced South African batting line-up.
The Indian think tank opted for five bowlers, including four fast bowlers, demonstrating an aggressive intent. They also backed Mohammed Siraj ahead of the experienced Ishant Sharma, who mostly played a support act to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in recent times.
On the same England tour, India missed out on a win in the first Test match, in Nottingham. They needed 157 with nine wickets in hand, but rain washed out all of day 5. There was also a similar incident on India’s 1996-97 tour of South Africa, when rain, bad light, Daryll Cullinan and questionable umpiring deprived India of their first Test win in this country.