KL Rahul buried the ghost of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final with a Test hundred which will become part of cricketing folklore. This was Rahul’s 8th hundred in Test cricket and 6th overseas. Rahul has now scored consecutive Boxing Day Test hundreds – he had scored a gritty century in 2021 at the same venue and then followed that up with a special knock two years later when India were in deep trouble in the first Test in Centurion.
This was also the first time KL Rahul has scored a hundred playing at No.6 in Tests.
KL Rahul was criticised for his timid approach with the bat in the World Cup final against Australia just a little over a month ago. Rahul had battled his way to a 107-ball 66 and hit just one boundary as India finished with a below-par total and Australia raced away to the target to lift the World Cup for a record-extending 6th time.
Weeks later, on a difficult pitch at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, India’s top-order was blown away by a top-quality South African pace attack. Kagiso Rabada was outstanding and his five-wicket haul on the first day of the first Test meant India were reduced to 208 for 8 by stumps. Rahul waged a lone battle for the visitors and he remained unbeaten on 70 overnight.
Resumption of play was delayed on the second day as well but once play started, KL Rahul showed great intent. He was exemplary with his footwork against the South African quicks and farmed the strike beautifully with the lower-order. Mohammed Siraj was dismissed when Rahul was only 5 runs away from his hundred but he got to the milestone with a six off Gerald Coetzee.
KL Rahul is probably playing this Test only because Rishabh Pant is still not available after his car accident while Ishan Kishan decided to return home due to mental fatigue.
Undettered, Rahul was a sight to behold on a pitch which was lively and offered spongey bounce to the pacers. He was eventually the last man to fall for a 137-ball 101 but his innings helped India reach a healthy 245 – a score which had seemed distant when Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were dismissed cheaply.
India were steadied by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer before Shardul Thakur came in and offered great support to Rahul.
If India go on to win this Test, they will have KL Rahul to thank for. Over the years, Rahul has made it a habit of scoring hundreds in challenging conditions and his performances have convinced the team he is their crisis man.
