India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test: Day 2 washed out in Centurion; India to resume innings on 272/3

Day 2 has been washed out in Centurion. India will resume innings on 272 for three.

"It's gotten darker as well as the ground remains under covers," tweets BCCI.

It's raining again and the covers are back on. Well, it seems like Day 2 might be washed out

"There will be a field inspection at 12:45 PM SAST (4:15 PM) here in Centurion"

Well, there were two reasons - due to Covid-19 for which he had tested positive two weeks back and a hamstring injury

"Duanne Olivier is healthy and well, but did return a positive Covid-19 test result a number of weeks ago, which forced him to quarantine and took time away from his training ahead of the current Test series against India," Victor Mpitsang, the convenor of selectors, told ESPNcricinfo.

Hence, Marco Jansen, the top performer for South Africa in the India A series, was handed his debut cap.

"Just when it was getting brighter here in Centurion, it has started to rain once again. The covers are back on the field. Lunch timing: 11:30 AM SAST to 12:10PM SAST" - BCCI

It's back again! The rain has returned and the covers are back on, but most likely a passing shower

"The umpires will inspect the grounds at 11:30 (3:00PM) and lunch break will also be moved forward to 11:30 (3:00PM) to account for the delayed start of play." - CSA

It has completely stopped raining and the covers are off, but more Centurion will experience more rain in the afternoon. Umpire likely to hold an inspection at 3PM

It has stopped raining and things looked brighter than before. Covers are still on though and it will take time before Day 2 resumes. No talk of an inspection yet

Just when things were looking good at the SuperSport Park, it has started raining again. Stay tuned for more updates on the start of Day 2

It has stopped raining in Centurion. The supersoppers are out to remove the water. Stay tuned for more updates on the start of Day 2

"I mean, it is truly special; every hundred really takes something out of you and gives you a lot of joy. There are so many emotions you go through when you score a hundred. You play and fight for 6-7 hours' those are the kind of innings that really stand out and as players, we really cherish these."

"Really happy that I could stay there not out, and it is what is expected out of me. Once I and Mayank got off to a good start, I started enjoying my batting, and I did not think too far ahead."

"At times, certain events can actually relieve you, maybe, lessen the burden a bit. Him being relieved of the vice-captaincy would have sent a particular signal to him, which obviously plays on every players' mind. He has come out all guns blazing. He has been very positive in his footwork, he has put away all the bad balls," Bangar told Star Sports on Sunday.

"He is the sort of player who likes to get good and quick starts. That was very similar to the way Rahul Dravid used to start his innings. He used to like to get to, say 20, in quick time so that there is less pressure on him. And that's why Rahane also shows a similar pattern. All the innings where he has been successful, he has gotten off to flyers and then settled in nicely," he added.

Not many backed the former India vice-captain to find a place in the XI for the Centurion opener, especially after Iyer's heroics in New Zealand series and Vihari's gritty knocks for India A in South Africa earlier this month. But Rahane made an impressive start to his innings with an intent-filled 40 off 81 laced with eight boundaries. Can he finally get that big one that has eluded him since that MCG ton last December?

Centurion experienced a rainy morning. And it is likely to remain this way throughout Day 2 hence offering us phases of play. Keeping fingers crossed!

Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed for a rare golden duck, only second in his career and both happened in Centurion. The previous was in the 2018 series when he was run-out by Lungi Ngidi, the same bowler that dismissed him yesterday. Overall, it is his 11th duck and fourth this year. With the score, he has now gone 43 innings in Test cricket without scoring a century. The last hundred came in January 2019, in Sydney against Australia when he had scored 193.

"Yeah, could well be a mental error in the execution part at least as far as him going after that wide half-volley is concerned," Sanjay Bangar told Star Sports.

"But for me, he relies on driving the ball. Against quicker attacks on seaming pitches, you require one more game. You can't only rely on the front foot shots. If he only relies on that particular shot, the bowlers will continue to drag him wider and wider and hope they find the outside edge.

"It will be worth it if Virat Kohli can give a thought of developing some sort of a response of the back foot as well. Otherwise, he just seems to be preoccupied with scoring runs off the front foot," he added.

He looked well set on 94-ball 35, playing with intent, looking confident with his stroke play, but eventually got dismissed chasing a widish half-volley from Lungi Ngidi in the first afternoon. With the score, his century drought extended to 764 days.

- He is 32 runs short of surpassing Virat Kohli (153) to register the highest individual score by a batsman in a Test in Centurion. He presently stands fifth in the list behind Kohli, Shaun Marsh (148), GA Hick (141) and Jacob Oram (133).

- He needs 48 runs more to surpass Sachin Tendulkar (169) to register the highest score by an Indian batsman in a Test in South Africa.

- He is 13 runs behind Pakistan's Taufeeq Umar in becoming the highest scoring Asian opener in a Test in South Africa.

- Kohli has won the most tosses by an Indian captain in Test cricket

- With Rahul back, India made their 38th change to the opening combination in Test cricket since his debut

- India registered their 7th 50-plus opening stand away from home in 2021

- Rahul and Agarwal registered India's 3rd century opening stand in South Africa.

- Pujara registered his 2nd golden duck in Test cricket

- Rahul is only the 6th Indian opener to score a century in Australia, England, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

It's been the story of Indian batters for way too long now. On several occasions in the past, the Indian batters, despite getting a good start or having forged a partnership, have handed back the advantage to the opposition by losing wickets in the first session of a new day. Will Rahul and Rahane be able to arrest the pattern? Because rest assured, South Africa's pacers Ngidi and Rabada would come at the Indians full steam.

Given the rollicking start they have had, at this rate, India would be disappointed if they settle for anything less than 450. With Rahul looking set and Rahane showing determination during his entertaining knock 40 not out off 81 balls, Team India would give themselves a strong chance of putting the hosts under pressure through a big total.