‘Hold your mouth shut and…’: Kaif’s fiery response to KL Rahul’s ‘historic’ century towards South Africa

In a brief video which has been aired a number of instances throughout session breaks of the continued India vs South Africa 1st Check on the Supersport Park in Centurion, KL Rahul himself admits that the bombardment of criticism he was receiving not too way back in his profession did have an effect on him. However he took every thing in his stride and stored going. Now, the outcomes have began to return. On his return to ODIs within the Asia Cup after a protracted harm layoff, Rahul smashed a century towards Pakistan. He then went on to have a fairly profitable World Cup with the bat and the gloves.

Quick ahead to December Rahul’s rise continued. This time, he made a comeback into the Check XI and that too as a delegated wicketkeeper. Opener Rahul adjusted to batting at No.6 as if it was all the time his most popular batting place. He was on 33 when India misplaced their seventh wicket for 164. From there, he scored 68 of India’s 81 runs to slam his eighth Check century and take India to a decent 245.

From shedding his place within the facet to comeback and slam a century on one of many hardest circumstances for batting, Rahul confirmed precisely why he’s all the time rated extremely. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif stated Rahul let his bat do the speaking.

“It is not straightforward to hit a century at No.6. Very tough circumstances, overcast circumstances. It was a moist pitch, the ball was transferring round. India have been in a spot of trouble. However KL Rahul stood there. What an innings. It is a historic knock. No person will have the ability to neglect. Hold your mouth shut and let your bat do the speaking, that is what you have got executed nicely. The sport was slipping away. India have been in numerous bother. This historic knock had persistence, it had class. It was a correct Check knock. Nicely executed, KL Rahul,” Kaif stated in a video posted on his X deal with.

Rahul grew to become the primary abroad batter to attain multiple century in Centurion. His 101 off 137 balls was additionally solely the second occasion when an Indian keeper notched up a century in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) international locations. The primary one to take action was Rishabh Pant.

Rahul’s innings was laced with 4 sixes and 14 boundaries. He grew to become the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to attain a number of Check centuries in South Africa.

Kaif was not the one one greatly surprised by Rahul’s superlative efforts. Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar referred to as it as one of many prime 10 centuries within the historical past of Indian cricket. Sachin Tendulkar additionally praised Rahul’s knock on his X deal with.

Rahul’s century was matched by Dean Elgar. The left-hander, enjoying in his final collection, hit his 14th Check century to place the hosts in a commanding place. He ended the second day on 140 not out — his first Check century at his residence floor.

It was an innings which confirmed sensible composure on a testing pitch, and talent when it got here to punishing free deliveries.

It included 23 fours and got here off simply 211 deliveries earlier than dangerous gentle stopped play with South Africa 256 for 5, main by 11 runs within the first innings.