Indian skipper Virat Kohli has won the toss in the first Test in Centurion and has opted to bat first. Ajinkya Rahane has been included in the playing Xi while there were talks of him being dropped. Both Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari have been ignored for the first Test. India are seeking for their first-ever Test series win in the rainbow nation and the start has been a positive one so far.

South Africa, on the other hand, are lacking a bit of firepower in their batting line-up. In the absence of Hashim Amla, AB De Villiers and Faf Du Plessis, skipper Dean Elgar and Aide Markram have to take up the responsibility of scoring the majority of the runs. Marco Jansen will be making his debut for the Proteas in the Test match. The Indians saw him playing in the IPL for Mumbai Indians in the first leg of IPL 2021.

South Africa Players ay Homage To Desmond Tutu

Meanwhile, the South African players are wearing black armbands in this Test match as a mark of respect for Desmond Tutu, who passed away earlier today. It was he who coined the term “rainbow nation” for South Africa. Tutu also played a key role in abolishing apartheid in South Africa.

Tutu was aging 90 on his deathbed and was awarded the Noble Prize in 1984. “The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli lauded the South African outfit saying that they are a tough side at home and a tough team to beat.

“We will bat first. Runs on the board playing away home has been our strength. The pitch tends to quicken up here on Day 2-3. Our success away from home started from the series we played here last time. Very challenging place to play. South African unit is always strong and they know the conditions. The prep has been wonderful. Quite lucky to get the centre-wicket for practice,” said Virat Kohli after winning the toss.

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