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Patna : India were 272/3 in 90 overs in their first innings in 1st test against South Africa (SA) at stumps on day 1 at SuperSport Park, Centurion, SA, on December 26, 2021, as opener K L Rahul scored an unbeaten 122 runs in 248 balls hitting 16 fours and 1 six, his 7th test century overall and 6th abroad. Rahul is the second Indian opener after Murli Vijay ( an unbeaten 122 in 2014 at Trent Bridge, England) to score a century abroad  on day 1. India won the toss and opted to bat.

Rahul was involved in three major partnership on day 1.First he and fellow opener Mayank Agarwal added 117 runs in 40.2 overs for the first wicket.  Mayank fell to fast bowler Lungi Ngidi for 60 in 123 balls with 9 fours making it 117/1. At the same score, Cheteswar Pujara too fell to Ngidi for a duck and it was 117/2.

Rahul and captain Virat Kohli then added 82 runs for the 3rd wicket. Kohli also fell to Ngidi for 35 in 94 balls with 4 fours and it was 199/3. Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane have added 73 runs in 131 runs in theor unbroken partnership for the 4th wicket. Rahane is unbeaten on 40 in 81 balls with 8 fours. Nigidi has taken 3/45 in 17 overs. India scored 27 runs in last 10 overs.