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The highly anticipated Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India kicked off at SuperSport Park in Centurion, treating cricket enthusiasts to a riveting display of skill and intensity. The Proteas side’s star pacer, Kagiso Rabada, emerged as the hero of the day, claiming a brilliant fifer and leaving an indelible mark on Day 1 of the contest itself.
Kagiso Rabada weaves his magic
From the outset, South Africa dominated proceedings, choosing to field first and putting immense pressure on the Indian batting lineup. Despite a resilient partnership between Shreyas Iyer (31) and Virat Kohli (38), Rabada ensured that the Indian batters did not settle in comfortably. The highlight of his bowling masterclass was a peach of a delivery that sent Iyer back to the pavilion.
Rabada cleans up Shreyas Iyer with a ripper
It all happened on the sixth ball of the 27th over when Rabada produced a wobble-seam nipbacker on the stumps that kept low. Iyer, caught off guard by the movement, was late to get his bat down, and the late adjustment cost him dearly as the ball crashed into the stumps, marking the end of his innings.
Rabada on fire 🔥
Iyer dismissed#INDvsSA #PAKvsAUS #Kohli #Shubmangil #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/lF7Zj62QYi— Ali Khan (@ProPakistanii7) December 26, 2023
It was a moment of brilliance from Rabada, who was visibly pumped up after the dismissal.
Also READ: SA vs IND – Here’s why India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja not playing Boxing Day Test against South Africa
Rabada’s five-wicket haul and historic milestone
Rabada’s magic with the ball didn’t stop with the dismissal of Iyer. The pacer went on to wreak havoc in the Indian camp, completing his fifer. His magical spell saw him bag the important wickets of Rohit, Kohli, Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Shardul Thakur.
In addition to his match-defining feat, Rabada achieved a momentous milestone by surpassing 500 international wickets across formats. At just 28 years of age, Rabada’s accomplishment underlines his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in the world.
KL Rahul emerges as India’s lone warrior
Amidst Rabada’s dominance, KL Rahul emerged as a lone warrior for the Indian side. Displaying resilience and skill, Rahul scored a brilliant fifty, providing a crucial contribution that helped India reach the 200-run mark until the rain intervened and play was stopped.
