SA vs IND: Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul shatter records with century stand

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal gave India a blistering start in the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. The pair have looked at complete ease against the Proteas pace battery and added unbeaten 109 runs for the first wicket at the time of writing.

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The century stand between the pair has made them the second opening pair to add 100+ runs for the first wicket outside Asia for India in the last 11 years. Earlier this year, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul added 126 runs for the opening wicket against England at Lord's.

The pair also became the fifth opening pair to add 50 or more runs for India in South Africa. This was the first instance of an Indian opening pair adding 50+ runs for the first wicket since Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir's 137 run partnership in Centurion in 2010.

They also became the second pair from visiting sides to add 50 or more runs for the first wicket when South Africa have bowled first. Chris Gayle and Darren Ganga is the other pair on the list. The duo put on 98 runs for the first wicket in 2007.

Agarwal and Rahul were not the first choice opening pair before the start of the series. However, an untimely injury to Rohit Sharma meant that India had to make a last-minute adjustment.

Earlier, Kohli won the toss and opted to bat. South African bowlers looked rusty as Indian batters made merry. The hosts did get a chance when Mayank Agarwal nicked one-off Marco Jensen but Quinton de Kock failed to grab the opportunity. Agarwal was at 36 when the incident happened.