Seasoned goalie Dinesh Karthik applauded KL Rahul’s striking performance during the first day of India’s current Boxing Day Test. This took place in South Africa, on SuperSport Park, on December 26.
India was in hot waters as South African pitchers controlled the match under favourable conditions. Rahul fought on valiantly as the only standout player for the Men in Blue, never out in the entire day, ending with a score of 70. The visitors wrapped up the day with a score of 208/8.
Dinesh Karthik stated during a Cricbuzz conversation about Rahul’s steady performance in abroad conditions:
“He batted very authoritatively towards the end of his innings but what was really good was how he was able to fight at the start when he had normal batters with him. KL Rahul is someone who has always got runs abroad. That is a very rare quality to have, and KL Rahul is constantly showing the world why he is rated so highly.”
Dinesh Karthik
KL Rahul batted carefully at first and then opted to accelerate when batting with the tailenders, according to Karthik, who added:
“He has got a couple of hundreds in England, he has got runs in Australia, we know he has got a hundred previously at the same ground against South Africa, and yet again repeating it today on a much tougher pitch. It was so hard to bat on, and he came, weathered the storm, batted well, but when he got together with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, started playing some sumptuous shots.”
Dinesh Karthik
The cricketer-turned-commentator emphasized Rahul’s outstanding achievements since rejoining the Indian side, saying:
“From the time he has made his comeback and put foot in the Indian team again after his injury in the Asia Cup, he has not looked back. He has been quite the player that India need and has been one that they want.”
Dinesh Karthik
One thing to point out is that this was just KL Rahul’s second time batting at No. 6 in Test matches. He held his nerves quite well while facing South African bowlers in tough situations, displaying remarkable nerve and skill.
“It is never going to be easy” – Dinesh Karthik on conditions in South Africa
On the first day, India’s wickets fell consistently. Key players such as Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill didn’t score many runs.
According to Dinesh Karthik, the game posed a tough test for the batsman. This is due to Shreyas Iyer, Gill, and Jaiswal’s first-ever Test series in South Africa. He shared:
“Three out of the six batters are playing in South Africa in their first Test. That is always going to be a challenge. Throw in the fact that they have given a very spicy wicket, it is never going to be easy.”
Dinesh Karthik
Karthik believes India has a potential to battle their way back if they manage to score 240 runs, adding:
“If India can get to 230-240, they will be pretty happy with that score. We have four fast bowlers as well. So, we can probably do the same what South Africa have done to us.”
Dinesh Karthik