As India’s batting order crumbled to the brilliance of South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, one man stood firm against the Proteas to help push India ahead at the end of Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
India’s wicket-keeper batter, KL Rahul managed to start well batting with the middle order and then the tail-enders to hog the strike and score some important runs. He brought up his half-century as rain stopped the day’s play.
Praising the knock by Rahul, former Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar believes that his knock is as good as a ton. He spoke to Star Sports, “This half-century today is worth a hundred, 120. Whether he gets one or not tomorrow, it depends on how the lower-order batters bat with him. But he deserves it fully. Even if he doesn’t get it, this, to me, is as good as a century.”
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South Africa managed to win the toss and chose to bowl first in what seemed to be favourable conditions for the bowlers. Skipper Rohit Sharma was the first to depart thanks to Rabada’s strong start with the new ball.
Despite the loss of the Indian top-order for cheap, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer managed to stitch up a 68-run stand to take the side forward till lunch. But Rabada who was fresh after a break managed to come back stronger by dismissing the two and Ashwin to claim his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests.
KL Rahul returned to international cricket after a long spell due to injury. He has made a strong statement with his performances in the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup as well. Sunil Gavaskar broke down on the technical side of his batting in the Boxing Day Test. He said, “The balance and a still head. His balance from the first ball was very good. Because his head was still, he was able to leave and lean into deliveries well.”
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He also added,” He was able to use his height and play the bouncer down. It’s all a matter of balance, his ability to get onto the front foot and the back foot was excellent.
Gavaskar was all praise on the wicket-keeper batter who remains unbeaten on the first day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa having scored 70 so far. Gavaskar concluded by saying,” We have known his talent for such a long time. We are getting to see it in the last 8-9 months, ever since he came back from the horrific injury that we had seen in the IPL. It’s a different Rahul. It’s a Rahul that we have been yearning to see him for such a long time. It’s so delightful to see.”
India will come in for the second day of the Test at 208/8 with Rahul eyeing his second Test century in South African soil.
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