Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra feels whether KL Rahul’s century stays among the best Test knocks by an Indian will depend on how the media promotes his knock. However, Rahul scored 101 runs off 137 deliveries in India’s first-innings total of 245 in the first Test against South Africa in Centurion as well. The Proteas finished the second day’s play on Wednesday (December 27) at 256/5, with a lead of 11 runs.
Reviewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “KL Rahul scored a century. Just remember, somebody batting at No. 6 as a keeper when the top order was dismissed early and then you have to bat with the tail and the tail doesn’t contribute much, and despite that, you score a hundred. The team’s total was 245 and KL Rahul scored a century in that.”
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The former India opener further added: “It was a very special knock. Someone asked me on X whether this will go down as one of the best knocks by an Indian player. I said the broadcaster, media and social media will decide that because whichever thing is played up more becomes very important these days, and I think that is what is going to happen.”
However, KL Rahul became the first visiting player to hit two Test centuries in Centurion. His two Test centuries in South Africa are the joint second-most by an Indian, on par with Virat Kohli. Sachin Tendulkar leads the pack with five tons as well.
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“The team (India) scored 245, which in my opinion, was slightly less. At least 300 runs were required here. You were slightly behind and then Dean Elgar came in front of you. He has played an almost flawless knock and he is still there. However, Temba Bavuma might not bat. So you can assume that they are not five but six down, and therefore you are only a wicket away from reaching the tail, and then you can wrap up things quickly. A lead close to 50 is affordable. If the lead is 100-110, I feel India will get stuck,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
