The two most striking aspects of KL Rahul since his return to international cricket last August after recovering from a thigh injury have been his composure and consistency. Those traits were certainly key to India’s Asia Cup triumph as well as during last month’s ODI World Cup although they lost the final to Australia.
At the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Day I of the opening Test, those two elements stood out once again in Rahul’s innings as his unbeaten 70 was hugely crucial in taking India to 208/8 before rain forced an early end on Tuesday with only 59 overs possible.
After South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl, the greenish pitch and overall conditions were ideal for Kagiso Rabada (5/44) to fire, and he did so with the prized scalps of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom made their first competitive appearance since that World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
In spite of a fightback from Kohli (38) and Shreyas Iyer (31) in the form of their 68-run fourth-wicket stand, Rabada threatened to knock India out with wonderful movement and awkward bounce as the visitors were reeling at 121/6 early in the second session of this Boxing Day Test. But then, neither Rabada nor the other South African bowlers could breach this Rahul wall.
In challenging batting conditions, Rahul was not just solid and steady right through his 105-ball stay so far, but also left the ball well alongside ensuring to latch on to the loose stuff.
The 123 Rahul had scored at the top when India last played a Test in Centurion two years ago had also showcased his ability as a batsman while also highlighting the improvement in terms of his technique. This time too, he did the same, but what also got reflected was his patience and the determination to grind it out.
Obviously, the support he got from Shardul Thakur (24) in their 43-run partnership for the seventh wicket did make matters easier for Rahul, who then executed his shots to perfection and picked up a few crucial boundaries that were critical to India crossing 200, which isn’t too bad a total given the conditions.
Also, barring Rabada and to an extent debutant Nandre Burger, who dismissed both Yashasvi Jaiswal and No.3 Shubman Gill, the other bowlers couldn’t quite make use of the helpful conditions. Besides, relatively easy catches were spilled to let both Kohli and Iyer off when both of them were just on four.
If South Africa’s vulnerable batting wasn’t enough, skipper Temba Bavuma’s further participation in this Test is in doubt after he hurt his left hamstring and left the field late in the first session.
