“With tough conditions and tough challenges comes out great characters” and Indian wicket keeper batter KL Rahul is making this statement his own owing to the magnificent hundred at the Boxing Day test in South Africa at Centurion.

The most exciting Boxing day test match between India and South Africa which began on 26th Dec 2023 turned out to be bitter sweet experience for the Indian spectators round the globe as India beginning their conquest for the Final Frontier in the rainbow nation on a tottering Day 1 of game display.

The Indian team were put in to bat after the hosts won the toss. In very helpful conditions, the Indian top-order gave way, with the visitors tottering at 24/3 at one stage. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer fought back and took the score to 92, before Iyer was dismissed. Things looked bleak at 121/6, but KL Rahul’s fighting 70 not out saw India to 208/8 at the end of day’s play.

After scoring a brilliant 123 as opener in the previous test series in the rainbow nation at Centurion, KL Rahul now batting at No 6 as a wicketkeeper batter showed his class and temperament to guide middle lower order comprising of Shardul Thakur  and the Indian bowlers to end India’s day at respectable 208 for 8 after a dreadful collapse.

On Day 2 when the batting resumed for the Indian conditions  within few overs KL Rahul alongside Mohammad Siraj stitched a vital 47 runs partnership with Rahul taking the aggressive route  right from the start along with street smartness to complete his 2nd century at Centurion in as many matches clobbing Gerald Coetzee for a massive six propelling India’s total to respectable 245 on the surface where other batters faltered to score runs.

Post his return from injury in the Asia cup , Rahul never looked back and took up the dual responsibility of wicketkeeper batter to bat at No 5 in white ball as well as red ball format. His dedication and skills impressed all as he scored 111 on his return post injury against Pakistan in Asia cup, had a decent World cup with handy innings in backend , a fiery century vs Netherlands only to be attacked for his slow innings in the finals.

His century 101 runs of 137 balls  which comprised of 14 fours and 4 sixes at a healthy strike rate of 73.72 has heaped massive praise from former Indian Legend Sunil Gavaskar who indeed was impressed with Rahul’s ability to transform himself from a opener to a reliable middle order batter for the Team rating this performance from the keeper batter his best show in the rainbow nation.

“Top ten in the Indian history of Tests”- Sunil Gavaskar’s massive praise for KL Rahul after sensational hundred

Former Indian legendary opener now commentator  Sunil Gavaskar believes KL Rahul’s hundred in the first Test against South Africa at Centurion deserves to be listed in the top ten centuries in the history of Indian Test cricket.

The ball seamed all over the place and India were in deep trouble at 121/6. However, Rahul batted incredibly well with the lower order to ensure they got to a fighting total of 245 in their first innings.

Here’s what Sunil Gavaskar had to say about KL  Rahul’s hundred while on air in Hindi commentary:

“I have been watching cricket since 50 years, I can surely say this hundred by Rahul is in the top ten in the Indian history of Tests, because this is a different kind of pitch. Here, a batter would never have the confidence that he is set. The ball can do anything anytime.”

He further added:

“Playing such a knock despite that, especially today… he was unbeaten on 70 yesterday but only had Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for company today. When Siraj got out, (Rahul) was on 95. The shot with which he reached his hundred, no praise would be enough for it. It was a length ball and he played a shot that you would normally see in T20s. Amazing.”

KL Rahul is the ‘Centurion of Centurion

Going forward Sunil Gavaskar lauded KL Rahul’s massive achievement and compared it with his compatriot Dilip Vengsarkar’s achievement at the iconic Lords stadium ,the Home of Cricket.