From 107/5 to 245: It was only possible because of a man named KL Rahul. Slotted into his new position at No 6, KL Rahul made a memorable comeback with a century in Centurion. His knock rescued India from a bad situation to post a competitive first innings total in cloudy conditions in IND vs SA 1st Test. India batting legend called the knock as one of the best by an Indian overseas.
“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,” Sunil Gavaskar said on the commentary stint.
This was KL Rahul’s sixth ton outside Asia but it was a crucial one not only for him but for India Cricket Team as well.
“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,” Gavaskar added.
With a new-look batting line-up stumbling against Protean pace power in Centurion, it was down to KL Rahul to take on the challenge and rescue India to a respectable total.
KL Rahul centuries outside India
- 110 vs Australia in Sydney, 2015
- 108 vs Sri Lanka in Colombo, 2015
- 158 vs West Indies in Kingston, 2016
- 149 vs England in Oval, 2018
- 129 vs England in Lord’s, 2021
- 123 vs South Africa in Centurion, 2021
- 101 vs South Africa in Centurion, 2023
He did exactly that. As Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin fell in quick succession, Rahul partnered with Shardul Thakur for a crucial 43-run knock. That set the stage for India to cross the 200-run mark.
And then, another 47-run stand with Mohammed Siraj helped KL Rahul take India to 245.
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