India’s batting sensation KL Rahul stole the limelight on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour showered praise on Rahul, who transformed from opener to middle-order anchor, guiding India from a precarious position to a respectable 208/8 by the day’s close.
Facing a challenging wicket and relentless pressure from South Africa’s quicks, India found themselves struggling at 92/4. However, KL Rahul emerged as the hero of the day, crafting an unbeaten 70 that not only rescued India but also propelled them to a position that seemed improbable earlier in the day.
Rahul’s innings was a masterclass in handling adversity, as he faced the potent South African seam attack with a combination of caution and aggression.
Batting alongside the tailenders for a significant portion of his innings, Rahul showcased not only his technical prowess but also his ability to strategize under pressure.
Vikram Rathour, addressing the media in the post-day press conference, lauded Rahul as India’s “crisis man” for his remarkable composure and flawless strokeplay.
Rathour highlighted Rahul’s clear game plans, emphasizing his adeptness in choosing the right moments to defend and attack. “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, defended the right balls, attacked the right balls,” remarked Rathour, underlining Rahul’s pivotal role in the team.
Rahul’s performance held particular significance as he had previously scored a century at the same venue exactly two years ago during the 2021 Boxing Day Test.
Rathour’s acknowledgment of Rahul’s consistency in challenging situations further solidified the opener’s status as a dependable figure in the Indian batting lineup.
The conditions at Centurion prompted South Africa to opt for bowling first, and their decision paid off early on as they exposed India’s less experienced middle-order.
Despite Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s valiant efforts, the Proteas managed to break through, leaving Rahul to carry the bulk of the batting responsibilities.
Rathour acknowledged the challenging conditions for batting, especially after the early wickets fell. He commended the recovery initiated by Kohli and Iyer, expressing satisfaction with their partnership. Virat Kohli, in particular, looked in great touch during his stay in the middle, according to the batting coach.
As rain interrupted play on day one, India is set to resume at 208/8. Rahul, unbeaten on 70, will be joined by Mohammed Siraj, with Prasidh Krishna to follow.
Despite the early collapse, Rathour remained optimistic, stating that the visitors had done a reasonable job on the challenging first day of the Boxing Day Test.
The stage is set for another intriguing day of cricket as India aims to build on Rahul’s stellar performance and set a competitive total in Centurion.
