Former India opener turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has praised KL Rahul for his century on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa. He claimed that Rahul has scored at least a century in every country he has played so far as well. Notably, Rahul was unbeaten on 122 before stumps on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion and India posted 272/3 as well.
While reviewing the day’s play in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra shared: “There is no country or fort he has not conquered. Name is Kamaal Lajawab Rahul and he has struck his seventh Test century. He has unfurled his flag in whichever country he has gone, has scored at least one century. Lord at Lord’s and centurion at Centurion, he has been absolutely phenomenal.”
He again added that KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal’s partnership at the top of the order helped India post a decent score. Moreover, they ensured that the team doesn’t miss Rohit Sharma too.
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Chopra observed: “The day belonged to the two openers. Both are close friends. They started in the Boxing Day Test match in Australia and here again a partnership of more than 100 runs. Rohit is not there but you didn’t miss him. Will Virat Kohli be as successful if he is given the finishing role? Will Rohit Sharma be able to do that job if you ask him to do that in white-ball cricket? So is that a fair comparison? In my opinion, KL Rahul is India’s most versatile batter at this point in time.”
Meanwhile, he also predicted the result of Day 2 where India will start from 272/3. However, they will try to take a huge lead as well. He also believed Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin will do well with the bat.
He added: “I feel India will score more than 350 runs. Well done, this is phenomenal. After that, I feel Shardul and Ashwin will together score more than 40 runs. Yes, Shardul Thakur is playing, which means India has gone in with four fast bowlers. Slightly brave decision but might just work in the end because now you have bowlers who can take 20 wickets.”
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Aakash Chopra also feels that South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will bounce back as he went wicketless on Day 1 of the Centurion Test. He predicted: “Kagiso Rabada to pick 2 wickets. The first day was not that good. They didn’t pick up too many wickets but I feel he will win the deal on the second day.”
“Last but not the least, I feel India will dismiss four opposition batters by end of play on the second day. The conditions might become a little favorable for batting but I feel the Indian bowling is much better than the opposition bowling,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
