Five things we learned from day one of South Africa vs India

India made a strong start to the first Test against South Africa reaching 272 for 3 by stumps.

Here we look at five things we have taken from that opening day’s play.

South Africa attack showing rust

The Proteas didn’t look like a team that possesses one of the best pace attacks in the world.

While Kagiso Rabada showed good control he was a few yards off the pace he needed to be, bowling at around 135 kmph instead of regularly topping 140.

Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers but looked to be out of gas when he got the second new ball in his hand.

Debutant Marco Jansen was unlucky not to get among the wickets and Wiaan Mulder bowled well enough while spinner Keshav Maharaj was too loose to perform his usual strangling act.

Common sense does not prevail

Jansen might have got the breakthrough in the morning session but for a dropped catch from Quinton de Kock, however, his selection is a real head-scratcher.

Not that Jansen is not an exciting prospect but with Anrich Nortje out injured, the game-breaking qualities of Duanne Olivier appeared to be in what was called for in this Test.

Olivier returned to South African cricket when Brexit brought the Kolpak era in County Cricket to an end and leads the wicket-takers list in the Four Day Series.

India won’t be intimidated

India showed no sign of being a team that could be intimidated by fast bowlers on a quick surface.

While South Africa didn’t bowl terribly well, India’s batsmen were patient and did not look uncomfortable against any short-pitched stuff.

Late in the day Ajinkya Rahane even hooked Ngidi to the fence, and it is clear that this is not an India side that will be thrown off by aggressive bowling. 

KL Rahul should be in a text book

KL Rahul smacked an unbeaten 122 which is a record for an India opener in Test matches played in South Africa and his innings should be in a cricketing textbook.

Rahul left well all day and pounced on every single bad ball he received.

The only blemish on his day is the pull he skied off Wiaan Mulder but he made the most of that let-off.

Virat Kohli’s mental game under question

Virat Kohli showed that he still has all the shots in the book, but his dismissal suggests that he isn’t in the best frame of mind at the moment.

Having faced seven dots in a row, Kohli chased a wide one from Ngidi to gift the Proteas quick a third wicket.

Kohli had looked so good, but with a two-year Test hundred drought hanging over him, the India skipper needs to get his mind right to break out of his rut.