Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar spoke highly of KL Rahul’s unbeaten 70 on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India, saying the wicketkeeper batter’s knock bailed India out of trouble. Gavaskar said Rahul’s 70 is worth more than a hundred on what a spicy pitch at the SuperSport Park in Centurion where stroke-making was difficult even for some of the best in the business. | SA vs IND, 1st Test Day 1 Scorecard |

KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 70 as he rescued India from 107 for 5 as the visitors were 208 for 8 before rain brought an early end to the first day’s play in Centurion. Rahul had hit a match-winning hundred in Centurion in 2021, but this time, he was batting at an unfamiliar spot in the batting order. Rahul returned to the Test side for the first time since he was dropped in a home series against Australia earlier in the year and his decision to don the gloves worked in his favour.

Batting outside the top 3 for the first time in 9 years in Test cricket, KL Rahul used all his experience of opening the batting as he fought hard against a Kagiso Rabada-led bowling attack. Rabada breathed fire, picking up 5 wickets, including the double strike to remove well-set Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer after Lunch. The South African pacer, who finished with a 5-wicket haul and completed 500 international wickets, troubled the Indian batters with pace and bounce, but Rahul looked the most comfortable amongst the lot on Tuesday.

Rahul mixed caution with aggression wonderfully well as he hit 10 boundaries and 2 sixes for his 75-ball 105. The wicketkeeper-batter stitched a crucial 42-run stand with Shardul Thakur, who had a nasty blow on his helmet. Rahul also took blows to his body and fingers, but he carried on, flaunting his class to remain unbeaten at the end of the day’s play.

“This half-century today is worth a hundred, 120. Whether he gets one or not tomorrow, it depends on how the lower-order batters bat with him. But he deserves it fully. Even if he doesn’t get it, this, to me, is as good as a century,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“The balance and a still head. His balance from the first ball was very good. Because his head was still, he was able to leave and lean into deliveries well. He was able to use his height and play the bouncer down. It’s all a matter of balance, his ability to get onto the front foot and the backfoot was excellent,” he added.

‘A DIFFERENT KL RAHUL’

Rahul has been in fine form since his comeback to the team following a long injury layoff. Rahul shone in India’s Asia Cup triumph, played his role to perfection in the middle-order in the ODI World Cup and recently led India to an ODI series win in South Africa.

Rahul has looked at ease at the highest level, scoring runs at will whenever he has gotten an opportunity and Gavaskar highlighted that the star batter seems to be enjoying his cricket since the return from the injury.

“We have known his talent for such a long time. We are getting to see it in the last 8-9 months, ever since he has comeback from the horrific injury that we had seen in the IPL. It’s a different Rahul. It’s a Rahul that we have been yearning to see him for a such a long time. It’s so delightful to see,” he added.

Rahul, who has Mohammed Siraj for company, will be looking to add to his and India’s tally when play resumes on Day 2 in Centurion.