KL Rahul Becomes 2nd Indian Opener After Wasim Jaffer To Score A Test Ton In South Africa

KL Rahul on Sunday scripted a massive feat during the opening day of the first Test against South Africa at the Centurion as he notched up his seventh Test century.  KL Rahul became only the second Indian opener to score a century in a Test in South Africa after Wasim Jaffer had amassed 116 in the 2007 series in Cape Town.

He also joined Australia’s David Warner and West Indies great Chris Gayle to become the third visiting opener in Test cricket to score a century at the Centurion and 54th touring batsman to reach the three-figure mark in a Test in South Africa.

KL Rahul Joined Sachin Tendulkar And Virat Kohli To Become 3rd Indian Batsman To Score A Ton In South Africa’s Citadel

KL Rahul now has a century in all the countries he has played in – two in England and one each in Australia, India, Sri Lanka. West Indies and now South Africa. KL Rahul also joined two Indian batting legends Sachin Tendulkar and present Indian Test captain Virat Kohli in an elite list to become the third batsman from his country to score a century in South Africa’s citadel, and 11th overall.

India made a perfect start to the opening Test at the SuperSport park with the opening pair of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal scoring a 117-run stand. With the partnership, India ended their 11-year wait as the pair become the third opening combination to achieve the feat in a Test in South Africa. En route to the feat, Mayank Agarwal had scored his sixth half-century before a dubious DRS review ended his stay at the crease for 60 runs.

Cheteshwar Pujara Fell For A Rare Golden Duck But Ajinkya Rahane Scores Unbeaten 40 On Day 1

India then lost Cheteshwar Pujara for a rare golden duck before the fourth-wicket stand between KL Rahul and Virat Kohli revived India once again with an 82-run stand where the 33-year-old Indian skipper scored 35 before falling to Lungi Ngidi as his century drought continued in international cricket. India is chasing their maiden Test series win in South Africa. In their previous seven visits to the Rainbow Nation, India lost six times while one ended in a draw.

The visitors will begin Day 2 at 272 for three with KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane in the middle. Skipper Virat Kohli (35 off 94) fell to a loose shot after doing all the hard work while under-pressure Cheteshwar Pujara lasted only one ball. But the start to Day 2 of the ongoing 1st Test was delayed because of incessant rain.

KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 122 off 248 balls as India ended Day 1 in a strong position. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal (60) got India off to an excellent start, adding 117 for the opening wicket after Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first.

Mayank Agarwal fell to Lungi Ngidi for a well-made 60 runs which included 8 fours to his name. Cheteshwar Pujara followed shortly for a golden duck. KL Rahul completed his century in 218 balls and at the end of the first day, remained unbeaten on 122 runs in 248 balls with 17 fours and 1 six to his name.

Apart from the century opening stand, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli (35) featured in an 82-run partnership for the third wicket, while Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane (40*) added an unbeaten 73 by stumps at the end of Day 1’s play.

South African Pacer Duanne Olivier was forced out of the Centurion Test against India because of the lingering effects of Covid-19, which he tested positive for a few weeks ago, and a hamstring niggle.