The second day of the first Test between India and South Africa was rained out.

The rain stopped twice, and the umpires decided to inspect the field, but just as they were about to step out, the heavens opened up again.

Due to severe and continuous rain since morning, the second day of play in the first Test between India and South Africa here on Monday had to be called off without a ball being thrown.

This morning's rain turned into a continuous deluge throughout the afternoon.

The rain stopped twice, and the umpires decided to inspect the field, but just as they were about to step out, the heavens opened up again.

India was well placed at 272 for three in 90 overs at the end of the first day's play.

KL Rahul was batting brilliantly at 122 not out from 248 balls, hitting 17 boundaries and one six. Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 40 off 81 balls with eight knocks to the fence, was his partner at the other end.

Lungi Ngidi removed opener Mayank Agarwal after he hit 60 runs off 123 deliveries.

Virat Kohli, the captain, scored 35 runs from 94 balls.

On the opening day of the match, Ngidi (3/45) took all three Indian wickets that fell.

If India had thought about batting for nearly two days, they might have aimed for a solid first innings score of 400 to 450 to put the pressure back on the Proteas, who only have three quality players in their ranks — skipper Dean Elgar, senior keeper-batter Quinton de Kock, and the experienced Temba Bavuma.

These three are the only ones with a track record of returning the assault to the opposition camp, which is led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, and possesses a world-class seam attack.

However, India will need 270 overs of cricket over the following three days to get 20 wickets. The forecasts for the third and fourth days indicate sunny weather with a partly cloudy sky, but thundershowers are expected on the final day.