IND vs SA: India’s Centurion - KL Rahul!

Opener KL Rahul produced a majestic knock in testing conditions en route to his sixth overseas century as India made a near perfect start to the Test series against South Africa here on SundayRahul 122 batting off 248 alongside opener partner Mayank Agarwal 60 set up a strong platform for India with a 117run stand enabling the visitors to reach 272 for three at stumps Skipper Virat Kohli 35 off 94 fell to a loose shot after doing all the hardwork while underpressure Cheteshwar Pujara lasted only one ballSolid RahaneRahul and Ajinkya Rahane 40 batting off 81 who like Pujara is fighting to save his place in the team were in the middle at close of play Rahane looked in a good touch and will be aiming for big score on Day Two Barring Lungi Ngidi who took all the wickets to fall on the day South Africa pacers were not probing enough in their line and lengths and offered too many loose ballsThe day belonged to Rahul who showed remarkable resolve and application during his seventh Test hundred He reached threefigure mark in England earlier this year and has also scored a hundred in every country he has played in Just like he had done it in England alongside Rohit Sharma Rahul played with absolute clarity knowing which balls to leave and which ones to go for his shots His friend and Karnataka teammate Agarwal also made it easier for Rahul early on by being the aggressor in the partnershipIn the end Rahul ended up collecting 16 fours and a six His innings had all his attractive range of strokes including the cover drives and his punch shot off the back foot He got to the 90s with a six off spinner Keshav Maharaj and stayed there for a while before reaching the milestone with a gentle steer off the leftarm bowler through pointHe also shared a crucial 82 run stand with Kohli after Ngidi removed Agarwal and Pujara off successive deliveries The India skipper was the only wicket to fall in the evening session and that was rather a gift to the struggling South Africa Kohli went for an expansive drive off a very wide ball something he didnrsquot need to with India in a commanding positionEarlier South Africa fought back with a couple of wickets in the afternoon session via Ngidi but India still controlled the proceedings by reaching 157 for two at tea India scored 74 runs in the second session while Ngidi removed Agarwal and Pujara off successive balls to provide the hosts muchneeded breakthroughs Agarwal who got to his half century after lunch was dismissed against the run of playThe ball appeared to bounce over the wicket apart from missing the leg stump but the onfield decision was reversed when DRS revealed that it was hitting the wickets leaving Agarwal in disbelief His fall also ended a memorable partnership making Rahul and Agarwal only the third Indian opening pair to stitch a century stand in 21 games in South AfricaPoor PujaraWith sun coming out Pujara walked in and was dismissed first ball inside edging a defensive shot to Keegan Petersen at short leg Soon after Rahul brought up his fifty with a delightful cover drive off Ngidi In the morning session Agarwal and Rahul played with the required discipline in testing conditions to take India to 83 for no loss Kohli made a brave call to bat first on a greenish surface which is expected to get quicker as the game progresses Rahul who took 21 balls to get off the mark played an exquisite straight drive off Kagiso Rabada to get goingBrief scoresIndia 272 for 3 KL Rahul 122 batting M Agarwal 60 A Rahane 40 batting L Ngidi 345 v South Africa7No of Test tons KL Rahul has smashed He now has a century in every country he has played inThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever