Opening batsman-turned-middle-order batsman KL Rahul was lauded by India’s batting mentor Vikram Rathour for his unbroken fifty in Centurion on the first day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.
India was reduced to 92/4 on a difficult first day wicket in Centurion by the South African quicks. However, KL Rahul rose to the occasion by delivering an unbeaten 70, which propelled India to 208/8 at the end of the day, a position that initially appeared improbable.
Rahul was tested by the four-pronged South African seam attack, but he emerged victorious as he batted alongside the tailenders for the majority of his innings, combining aggression and caution.
Rathour referred to Rahul, who scored a century in the 2021 Boxing Day Test match at this exact venue precisely two years prior, as “crisis man” of India due to his impeccable touch and strokeplay.
“He’s certainly going to be a man of crisis for us I think,” Rathour said at the press conference post the day’s play.
“Every time there are tough situations and most of the times he’s there. He’s the guy who handles those situations really well.
“He was very clear with his game plans, what he wanted to do, defended the right balls, attacked the right balls.”
The conditions saw South Africa opt to bowl first and they made early inroads to expose India’s less experienced middle-order. While Virat Kohli hung around for a while alongside Shreyas Iyer, once the Proteas broke through those two, it was down to Rahul to carry the batting.
“The conditions were tough for the batting. After 3-4 games of cricket, lunch we ended at 91-43, I think. There was a good recovery and a good partnership between Kohli and Iyer,” the batting coach said, adding that Kohli looked in great nick during his stay in the middle.
Although the visitors experienced an initial collapse, the batting coach was confident that they had performed satisfactorily. India will recommence play on 208/8, one day after rain halted proceedings. Rahul, who is unblemished at 70, is followed by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
