‘Worth A century’- Gavaskar Applauds KL Rahul For Fighting Fifty vs SA 

image-lqmip123KL Rahul vs South Africa on Day 1. [PC: X]

KL Rahul has marked his return to Test cricket in some style. The keeper-batter made a magnificent half century in what seemed to be very tough conditions for batting on Day 1 of the first Test between South Africa and India at Centurion.

Rahul, who was playing his first Test since February this year, made a remarkable comeback, delivering under immense pressure to pull team India out of trouble. After walking out to bat in his brand new batting position at 6, Rahul saw wickets falling in clusters at the other end, including the wicket of a set Virat Kohli.

India were limited to 121 for 6 at one point of time and needed something special to get them to a respectable first innings total. Rahul alongside Shardul Thakur started the reconstruction job and added a crucial 43 runs for the 7th wicket. The latter got dismissed on 24 but Rahul kept the scoreboard ticking and went on to complete his half century.

Former legendary Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sunil Gavaskar was full of praise for KL Rahul after his fighting half-century against South Africa on Day 1 after tea. While commentating during the match, Gavaskar said that Rahul’s fifty is nothing less than a century considering the tough batting conditions in Centurion on Day 1.

“This half century by KL Rahul is worth a century. On this pitch, under pressure, this innings is equal to a century”, Gavaskar said.

And why not? There was some serious help for the pacers right from the very first session on Day 1. Moreover, a lot of invariable bounce could be seen since lunch. And with wickets falling like a pack of cards at the other end, Rahul's innings on such hostile batting conditions can potentially become a series saving knock for the side.

Interestingly, this is only the second time Rahul has batted at 6 in Test and the first time he did was on his debut Test innings during again a boxing day Test in Melbourne 9 years ago. 

Additionally, this is not the first time Rahul has batted out of position for the team. He has been doing it for some years now which reflects his tremendous versatility as a player.

Earlier, South Africa asked India to bat first and limited them to 3 down for just 24 on the board early in the first session. Virat Kohli alongside, Shreyas Iyer started to rebuild the innings and finished the session on high.

However, post lunch, South Africa gained back control, thanks to a scintillating spell of bowling from Kagiso Rabada where he got rid of both the set batters, right after lunch and further went on to complete his five-wicket haul.

India finished day 1 with 208 for 8 after umpires called an early stumps due to bad light and relentless rain. KL Rahul is still going strong, batting 70 with Mohammed Siraj on the other side.