IND vs SA: Watch - 'Frustrated' Marco Jansen Sledges KL Rahul; India Batter Replies With Smile

Marco Jansen, the South African pace bowling all-rounder, is having a tough outing so far on the first day of the first Test in Centurion. South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first after a delayed start in Centurion.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma (5) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (17) fell early. India were reeling at 24/3 when Virat Kohli (38) and Shreyas Iyer (34) added a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket. India headed to lunch at 91/3.

India then lost wickets of Kohli and Iyer in quick succession post lunch which brought KL Rahul into the wicket. As opposed to a complete batter, KL Rahul is playing in this Test match as a keeper-batsman and hence batting at five. He was previously asked by the management to set into this role for the next phase of his international career across formats.

Marco Jansen who was having a tough day as a bowler in Centurion could not bowl his best deliveries. While the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Nandre Burget took wickets at one end, Jansen leaked a few runs. Rabada eventually took a fifer however, Jansen still remained wicketless.

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Out of sheer frustration, Marco Jansen seemed to sledge KL Rahul when he presented a dead bat to defend his delivery that he bowled with extra effort. That pissed off the South African pacer and he could not restrict himself from saying a few words to KL Rahul who took it with a smile.

Watch: Marco Jansen Sledges KL Rahul

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Rahul added a 46-runs with Shardul Thakur (24). However, it was Kagiso Rabada who ended the stand between the two as he dismissed Thakur who was playing with a particularly aggressive intent. Rabada is now on 49 wickets against India after taking his maiden fifer against India.

Speaking about KL Rahul. he is playing this particular Test match as a keeper-batsman. He was asked by the management to don this new role in Tests as well after he did it excellently in white-ball formats, especially in the World Cup.

“I am not sure how long KL Rahul would want to keep wickets but he is keen as of now,” said Rohit as a reaction to KL Rahul’s new role in the Test side.

India under KL Rahul’s captaincy won the ODI series 2-1 heading into this Test series. The Men in Blue are yet to win Test series in South Africa. In 2021, India lost 2-1 after winning the first Test in Centurion. After the Test series, Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s Test captain.

Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the series with an ankle injury and Rohit termed the speedster’s absence as a big loss.

“Shami will be a big miss for what he has done for us over the years. Someone will fill up (the) hole but it won’t be easy,” he said.

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