Ipl 2018 letest updates

10:58 (IST)

FOUR! Little bit room from Piedt and Mayank played a fine late cut to beat the first slip and collect a four behind the stumps. 

10:56 (IST)

After 20 overs,India 53/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 27 , Rohit Sharma 26)

Rohit comes out against Maharaj and hits a massive six. His first sign of aggression against spin. Fifty-run stand up between the openers. India have dominated the session so far and with few overs left for lunch, they would want to go back without losing a wicket. 

10:54 (IST)

SIX! Rohit steps out and hits Maharaj for a massive six over long on. That brings up India's fifty as well. 

10:53 (IST)

After 19 overs,India 46/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 27 , Rohit Sharma 19)

Dane Piedt, right-arm off break, brought into the attack. He starts off with a maiden. Nice loopy off spinners. He is just 7 matches old and Faf depends on him to provide the first breakthrough. 

10:50 (IST)

After 18 overs,India 46/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 27 , Rohit Sharma 19)

Bit of a conference between Faf and de Kock before the last ball of the over, probably discussing the long off fielder. None of the batsmen have looked to play in that area. SA looking to stop the boundaries, as suggested by the field placements. 

10:45 (IST)

After 17 overs,India 44/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 26 , Rohit Sharma 18)

Maharaj continues. He is bowling at slow pace, asking the batsman to hit him hard if they want to score off him. Mayank did play a powerpacked drive through point for four runs. Maharaj would not mind that at all. 

10:44 (IST)

FOUR! Slow in pace, flight on ball, lured Mayank to hit it through the square off the wicket on off side. It was in the air but also in the gap. Four runs for Mayank but Maharaj was very close to a wicket as well. 

10:41 (IST)

After 16 overs,India 40/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 22 , Rohit Sharma 18)

Philander continues after drinks break. Commentators Murali Kartik and Sunil Gavaskar are not impressed with the deep point placed for both the batsmen with Philander bowling with keeper up. The plan seems to be stop runs, which is not the kind of mindset you want especially when the openers have settled well. 

10:40 (IST)

First hour of play done and despite some "oohs" and "aahs", particularly off Philander, Indian openers are still there. It has been slow progress as they are intent on taking their time. Having said that neither Mayank Agarwal nor Rohit Sharma have looked completely comfortable at the crease. 

Rohit in particular has got that strange two-step forward leave off pace bowling and it hasn't looked effective keeping in mind overseas conditions. Nervy start for India but with spin working now, things should settle down easier. 

10:34 (IST)

After 15 overs,India 37/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 20 , Rohit Sharma 17)

Maharaj continues. Rohit is looking comfortable in the middle. The partnership is growing and the Indian dressing will be very relaxed right now. Players take drinks. Much needed given the humidity levels in Vizag. 

10:30 (IST)

After 14 overs,India 35/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 19 , Rohit Sharma 16)

Okay, Philander is back into the attack. First sign of desperateness from South Africa. The fact that India have played the first hour without losing wicket might be playing on their minds. Two slips and a gully. In quest to swing it in to the batsman, Philander pitched one up and was punished by Mayank. 

10:29 (IST)

FOUR! Top shot, Mayank gets a full length delivery, he comes on top of the ball and hits it through the covers for four runs. 

10:25 (IST)

After 13 overs,India 30/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 15 , Rohit Sharma 15)

Maharaj changes plan. There is silly point and first slip now with a short cover in place for Mayank. He sticks to the off stump line, asking the batsman to drive. Mayank is looking to play his shots though. Collects a boundary on the penultimate ball of the over. 

10:24 (IST)

FOUR! Flight on the ball but fuller in length, Mayank hits it again the turn through mid-on for four runs. 

10:22 (IST)

After 12 overs,India 26/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 15)

Rohit almost pulled off his famous pull on the second ball of the over, bowled short by Rabada, came at chest height to Rohit, who pulled it but not too convincingly. Rohit plays a off drive for two. Looking good Hitman with each passing ball. 

10:17 (IST)

After 11 overs,India 22/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 11)

Beautiful bowling from Maharaj, Bowling round the stumps to Mayank. Very consistent in his line, not spinning it too much. Keeping it around the off stump. Completes a maiden over.

10:15 (IST)

After 10 overs,India 22/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 11)

As expected, Rabada continues from the other end and what a over from the Protea. The humidity is 77 percent in Vizag and Rabada is sweating a lot but he has not sacrificed any pace. Swinging it in to Rohit and at times, bowling a few snorters. Another maiden from him. 

10:10 (IST)

After 9 overs,India 22/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 11)

First sight of spin this morning as Keshav Maharaj, Left arm orthodox, is brought into the attack by Faf. The Indian openers despite getting of to shaky start have been able to survive the opening spell. Good start from Maharaj. 3 off the over.  

10:07 (IST)

After 8 overs,India 19/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 8)

Rabada is building up good pace. Huge LBW appeal against Agarwal. Umpire turned it down and Faf was not interested to go upstairs and use his review. Maiden from Rabada.

10:02 (IST)

After 7 overs,India 19/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 8)

Alright, de Kock comes up to the stump. Just two slips and Rohit collects a four square off the wicket on the off side on the first ball after this new plan is implemented. Guess this was done to play Mind games with Rohit.  

10:00 (IST)

FOUR! De Kock comes up to the stumps, Philander bowls outside the off stump, no third slip and Rohit slashes it hard for four square off the wicket. 

09:57 (IST)

After 6 overs,India 15/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 11 , Rohit Sharma 4)

Rabada beginning to hit the deck hard and is getting movement as well. Got a leading edge off Mayank and beat the edge two balls later. Mayank was in two minds on both the occasion. The last ball was a sharp inswinger but it was well evaded by Mayank. Great contest is on between bat and ball in this first hour of Day 1. 

09:56 (IST)

FOUR! Luck for Mayank, movement for Rabada off the pitch and bounce, squared up Mayank, ball took the leading edge and flew through vacant fourth slip for four runs. 

09:53 (IST)

After 5 overs,India 9/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Rohit Sharma 4)

Philander continues with three slips to Rohit, takes first two away, brings the third one in and it almost ripped Rohit's off stump. Rohit is looking positive but he has no idea of which way it will swing after pitching. Philander growing in confidence.

09:53 (IST)

Instances when Rohit Sharma opened the batting in First Class cricket before today:

v Saurashtra, Chennai, 2009
v Rajasthan, Jaipur, 2010
v Punjab, Mumbai, 2012

09:49 (IST)

After 4 overs,India 9/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Rohit Sharma 4)

Rabada is warming up as well. Better over from him. Testing Mayank with pace around the off stump line. Teasing him with some snorters. Moral victory for the bowler. Maiden from Rabada.

09:45 (IST)

After 3 overs,India 9/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Rohit Sharma 4)

Philander continues. The away swing to Rohit almost took the faint edge off his bat. That was Typical Philander, pitching it on off stump and swinging it away, squaring up the batsman. Two balls later, he brought it in and Rohit walked in to the shot to evade it. Kind of over which will give Philander huge confidence.

09:41 (IST)

After 2 overs,India 8/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 4 , Rohit Sharma 4)

Kagiso Rabada, right-arm fast, is bowling from the other end. Rohit Sharma starts off with a boundary on the second ball of the over. Typical limited-overs' Rohit that was in that boundary. Big match for hi. He lets next few deliveries pass. 

09:40 (IST)

Kagiso Rabada’s bowling SR in Tests:

Home : 32.7
Away : 54.6

09:39 (IST)

Did you know?

Vernon Philander’s bowling average of 18.96 against India in Tests is the second best for him against any country in Tests after Sri Lanka (17.56).

09:39 (IST)

FOUR! Rohit begins his stint as Test opener with a boundary on the second ball of the Rabada over. Little short and wide, Rohit opens full face of the bat and hits it for four runs through gully. 

09:36 (IST)

After 1 overs,India 4/0 ( Mayank Agarwal 4 , Rohit Sharma 0)

Vernon Philander begins proceedings for South Africa. Mayank was watchful as the the fast ball was right on money, around the off stump line. The third ball was slightly overpitched and Mayank hit it for four to open his account. LBW appeal on the penultimate ball but it was missing the off stump. Also, there were two noises. Four from the first over of the Test match. 

09:34 (IST)

Rohit Sharma’s batting average in Tests:

At home: 85.44

Against South Africa : 12.41

09:34 (IST)

FOUR! Not much pace but width provided to Mayank, also it was overpitched, Mayank hit it through gully for four runs. First runs for India and the opening batsman. 

09:32 (IST)

Vernon Philander to bowl the first over. Mayank to face the first ball. 

09:29 (IST)

The teams are done with national anthems and now the visitors are taking fielding positions. Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal come out to bat. This will be very, very interesting.  

09:26 (IST)

The last time when India had two players opening the innings, not opened in a home Test match before was back in 1972/73 against England - Ramnath Parkar and Sunil Gavaskar.

09:13 (IST)

Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal’s pair will be India’s eighth opening pair since 2018 in Tests.

09:10 (IST)

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Vernon Philander, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada

09:09 (IST)

India XI: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami 

09:08 (IST)

Faf du Plessis, SA captain: Our record in toss in subcontinent is not the best. We have gone with two spinners. This is the time to groom next Hashim Amla and next Dale Steyn. 

09:05 (IST)

Virat Kohli, India captain: No brainer here. Saha in these conditions, is best keeper in the world. We were finding right moment to include him. They are a pretty strong side. We have to be at out best.

09:02 (IST)

Toss News: Virat Kohli wins toss and India will be batting first. 

09:00 (IST)

The beautiful trophy for which the both teams are contesting!

Who's taking this one home? #TeamIndia or South Africa? #INDvSA @Paytm 🇮🇳🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/r2mQoFNnsH

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 2, 2019

08:58 (IST)

Sunil Gavaskar with the Pitch report: No grass on the pitch. Should be a good pitch to bat on Day 1. Cracks are there and with more deliveries pitched on it, and with sun out, the surface will come off. Batting won't be easy from Day 2. The ball is going to start gripping from Day 2. Bat first is no brainer. 

08:55 (IST)

India have won each of their last 10 home Test series’ while South Africa have not won a Test in Asia since 2015.

08:55 (IST)

Stat Alert!

South Africa’s win percentage of 31.25 in India in Tests - the highest for any visiting team in India in Tests.

08:47 (IST)

If the Wednesday forecast for Visakhapatnam is to be trusted, the opening day of the first Test between India and South Africa might be played under steely skies and gloomy conditions. More on that in the full weather report. 

08:40 (IST)

Sachin backs Ashwin

Another three months left in the year and Ravichandran Ashwin is yet to represent the country across any format in 2019! Rather surprising for a bowler who has been one of the most prolific wicket-takers for the Indian team of late, or so would the bowler himself think. 

That, however, is set to change today, with the senior off-spinner getting named in the XI for the first Test against South Africa at Vizag. Here's Sachin Tendulkar talking about why Ashwin remains an integral part of the Indian team despite the uncertainty in his participation in recent years. 

08:35 (IST)

The Indian team management decided to drop Rishabh Pant in first Test and give his place to Wriddhiman Saha. This move was debated on social media among the cricket fans. G Rajaraman feels Rishabh Pant is not the first youngster to be kept out of the Test XI. Nor will he be the last. He will have to take the move by the team management on his chin and get back to the drawing board so that he can resume the journey to becoming the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the country. Read more from him on Pant here.