India opener and vice-captain KL Rahul cherishes his maiden Test century in South Africa; admits surprising himself by being patient and calm
KL Rahul in full flight against South Africa at Centurion on Sunday. Pic/AFP
India opener KL Rahul said that one goes through a variety of emotions on the way of scoring a century in Test cricket. He also expressed his happiness over staying unbeaten on Day One, something which is expected of his role as the opener.
On Day One of the Boxing Day Test at the SuperSport Park, Rahul carried his bat through to stay unbeaten on 122 at stumps, helping India reach 272-3 in a dominant display of batting by the tourists.
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“It is truly special. Every hundred really takes something out of you and gives you a lot of joy. There are so many emotions that you go through when you have to score a hundred. You bat and fight for 6-7 hours. Those are the kind of innings that stand out and something that as players, we really cherish these.
“Really happy that I could stay not out and this is what is expected of me from my team. Once I got off to a good start, I started and kept enjoying my batting and I did not think too far ahead,” said Rahul in a video posted by the BCCI on Monday.
Talking about his maiden Test hundred in South Africa, Rahul emphasised on good preparation and trying to stay in the present. “Preparation has been really good. The purpose and the intensity we had in training was something that was very refreshing and that’s why you can all see the batters that batted on Day One were really focused, determined and had put in a lot of work.”
The vice-captain surprised himself with his patience and calmness throughout his unbeaten knock that was laced with 16 fours and a six.
“Just on 99, with the spinner [Keshav Maharaj] bowling, I thought it was a good opportunity for me to get a single or go over the top because everybody was inside. I did have the temptation to do that.
“But surprisingly, even in England, when I got that hundred in Lord’s, I have surprised myself with how calm I have been and not really thought about that one run,” he said.
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