Despite a challenging start in the Boxing Test against South Africa in Centurion, India’s KL Rahul provided a glimmer of hope with a steadfast century. With a rocky start post-toss which left them trailing at 24/3 in the 12th start over, resistance was also shown by Virat Kohli (38) and Shreyas Iyer (31). A strategic 68-run partnership was formed between them for the fourth spot.
Nevertheless, after Kohli and Shreyas exited the scene, it was KL Rahul who played the role of the corner stone for the Indian innings. His steadfast batting helped India surpass the 240-run milestone. Batting at the number 6 place, KL Rahul stood still with an unbeaten 70 from 105 balls as day one came to a close, leaving India at a score of 208/8.
He played several excellent strokes on Day 2 to get a well-deserved hundred. He arrived in grand fashion, smacking Gerald Coetzee for a six over deep midwicket. KL Rahul’s innings, which included 14 fours and four sixes, was halted by Proteas left-arm bowler Nandre Burger.
The 31-year-old justifiably received a lot of praise for his tenacious hundred in difficult batting circumstances. Here are some professional responses to KL Rahul’s excellent Centurion ton.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar, an Indian batting icon, claimed that he was most pleased with Rahul’s clarity of thought during the batter’s century against the Proteas in Centurion. He responded on a tale shared on his Instagram handle:
“Well played KL Rahul. What impressed me was his clarity of thought. His footwork looked precise and assured, and that happens when a batter is thinking right. This century is crucial in the contest of this Test. India would be happy with 245 considering where they were at one stage yesterday.”
Sachin Tendulkar
at addition, Rahul hit a century during India’s previous Test at Centurion during their 2021-22 trip.
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Rahul, a cricket player known all across India, has received a massive praise from another legend of the game, Sunil Gavaskar. Sunil proclaimed that Rahul’s run of one hundred was among the best in the history of Indian Test Cricket. The reason? It was not an easy pitch to play on, said Gavaskar. All these make Rahul’s achievement even more significant.
“I have been watching cricket since 50 years, I can surely say this hundred by Rahul is in the top ten in the Indian history of Tests, because this is a different kind of pitch. Here, a batter would never have the confidence that he is set. The ball can do anything anytime.”
“Playing such a knock despite that, especially today… he was unbeaten on 70 yesterday but only had Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for company today. When Siraj got out, (Rahul) was on 95. The shot with which he reached his hundred, no praise would be enough for it. It was a length ball and he played a shot that you would normally see in T20s. Amazing.”
Interestingly, KL Rahul’s previous Test ton came as an opener in Centurion. On the current tour, however, he is a keeper-batter in the middle order.
3. Aakash Chopra
Former India opener Aakash Chopra praised KL Rahul’s performance with the willow as well. He called the innings “special.” He remarked that the broadcaster, media, and social media would decide where it ranks among the top knocks by Indian players.
“KL Rahul scored a century. Just remember, somebody batting at No. 6 as a keeper when the top order was dismissed early and then you have to bat with the tail and the tail doesn’t contribute much, and despite that, you score a hundred. The team’s total was 245 and KL Rahul scored a century in that.”
“It was a very special knock. Someone asked me on X whether this will go down as one of the best knocks by an Indian player. I said the broadcaster, media and social media will decide that because whichever thing is played up more becomes very important these days, and I think that is what is going to happen.”
Aakash Chopra
KL Rahul’s century against South Africa on Day 2 in Centurion was his seventh Test century.
4. Mohammad Kaif
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif complimented Rahul for his magnificent ton in difficult circumstances. Not only was India in major difficulty after losing early wickets, but the batting conditions were also extremely difficult, according to Kaif. He praised the keeper-batter for letting his willow speak for itself.
“It’s not easy to hit a century at No.6. Very difficult conditions, overcast conditions. It was a wet pitch, the ball was moving around. India were in a spot of bother. But KL Rahul stood there. What an innings. It’s a historic knock. Nobody will be able to forget. Keep your mouth shut and let your bat do the talking, that’s what you have done well,” Kaif said in a video on his X handle.
Mohammad Kaif
Rahul entered the batting order with India down by 92 runs. He was the final guy to be dismissed, having completed a well-deserved ton.
5. Irfan Pathan
Rahul’s magnificent rearguard performance in Centurion was characterized in one word by former India bowler Irfan Pathan. He posted a video of the batter celebrating his ton on his official X account. He captioned the video clip.
“SANKATMOCHAN (one who is adept at dealing with tough situations)”
Irfan Pathan
Rahul tried his best, but India is having difficulties in the Centurion Test. Currently, South Africa stands at a score of 327/5 after playing for 87 overs; Dean Elgar continues to play holding a personal score of 172.