‘Take a bow’ – Fans praise KL Rahul for his magnificent century against South Africa in 1st Test, India posts 245/10 in first innings

KL Rahul’s remarkable batting performance in the first Test deserves all the accolades it can garner. Facing challenging conditions and a formidable South African bowling attack, Rahul’s innings showcased resilience, skill, and a commendable ability to build partnerships with the tail-enders.

India’s innings began on a shaky note, losing three early wickets with only 24 runs on the board. However, the partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli offered a glimmer of hope. In his innings, Iyer scored 31 runs, while Kohli scored 38 runs.

However, the situation took a turn when Kagiso Rabada, with his fiery pace, dismissed both Kohli and Iyer in quick succession, leaving India reeling at 121/6. Enter KL Rahul. The wicketkeeper-batsman not only stemmed the collapse but orchestrated an impressive recovery. His innings of 101 runs, characterised by a blend of aggression and composure, turned the tide in India’s favour.

What followed was a masterful display of partnerships with the tail-enders, transforming what could have been a subpar total into a solid first-inning score of 245. Rahul’s partnerships with Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj were instrumental in India’s resurgence. The 43-run stand with Shardul, 27 runs with Bumrah, and a crucial 47-run partnership with Siraj showcased Rahul’s ability to not only anchor the innings but also to guide and inspire the lower-order batsmen to contribute effectively.

KL Rahul becomes highest run-scorer in Centurion 

The statistics alone tell a story of Rahul’s dominance at the crease—a century at a strike rate of 73.72. His innings were studded with 14 boundaries and two maximums, reflecting his ability to find the gaps and punish loose deliveries.

Rahul’s knock not only bailed India out of a precarious situation but also put them in a position of strength in the first Test against South Africa. With this score on board, India has a great chance to take advantage of the game. It’s worth noting that with this century, Rahul became the first visiting batter to score two centuries in Centurion.

Here is how fans react to KL Rahul’s batting performance: