Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test against South Africa at Centurion Park on Sunday (Dec 26). They are playing with five bowlers, which includes four pacers and a spinner.
In the middle order, Ajinkya Rahane found a spot over Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer. Rahane hasn't been in good form this year, but the team wants to carry on with the experienced batter.
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The 33-year-old, who has scored no hundred and only two half-centuries in 21 innings this year, has already been removed from the vice-captaincy role in the Test team. The move to play Rahane received a mixed response from the Twitterati after the toss.
Some felt it's unfair on Vihari to sit out of the playing eleven, few think the team should give Rahane a final opportunity before dropping him. All eyes will be on the senior batter to make the chance count and score some important runs in South Africa.
Here are the reactions of the fans:
