Playing the Centurion Test as a designated wicket-keeper, KL Rahul became only the second Asian wicket-keeper to notch up a Test century in South Africa, after Rishabh Pant in Cape Town in 2022.
It was such a terrific knock, in which he showcased his class and temperament to tackle the pitch, the conditions, and the opposition pace attack while batting mostly with the tailenders, that batting great Sunil Gavaskar called it as one of the “top 10 in the Indian history of Tests.”
Whipping 14 stylish fours and 4 daunting sixes, KL Rahul took India from 121/6 to 245 in an almost chanceless innings that gave India a decent total on this surface.
Check Insta stories of Athiya Shetty and Suniel Shetty for KL Rahul
Rahul’s wife Athiya Shetty and his father-in-law Suniel Shetty uploaded heart-touching Instagram stories after the batter raised his terrific ton in Centurion at the Supersport Park.
Athiya captioned her Instagram story: “Strength to strength.”
Suniel Shetty posted several emojis to express his feelings.
KL Rahul now has 6 Test hundreds outside Asia out of his 8 Test centuries. he weathered every challenge and pounced on the loose balls from the South African pacers. Lest one forgets, this was the first time he was playing as a designated wicket-keeper in Test cricket and batting in the middle-order role, having done well as an opener in the last six years in Tests.
📸📸💯@klrahul 🙌🙌#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/lBEC4UisFa
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 27, 2023
Observing this masterclass from the commentary box was Sunil Gavaskar, who has also commented on some of the best knocks by Indian batters in Test cricket over the past few decades. The 74-year-old former skipper said that this ton by Rahul ranks in the top 10 best Test centuries played by an Indian batsman.
Sunil Gavaskar said: “I have been watching cricket since 50 years, I can surely say this hundred by Rahul is in the Top 10 in the Indian history of Tests.”
Also Read: Watch: Yuvraj Singh Picks A Surprise Team To Win T20 World Cup 2024; Snubs India, Australia England
