A classy century by KL Rahul took India to a position of strength in the first Test against South Africa at Centurion.
In his 218-ball knock, the opener hit 14 fours and one six. The right-hander also shared an opening stand of 117 runs with Mayank Agarwal.
There were few mistakes by Rahul as he displayed a lot of patience in the middle. The match started in overcast conditions and the Indian openers were helped by the fact that the SA pacers were a bit too wide to begin with.
Thereafter, Rahul eased his way to his century. It is his seventh Test century and six of them have come in overseas conditions.
Here are a few reactions to his century:
💯
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2021
A phenomenal century by @klrahul11 here at the SuperSport Park.
This is his 7th Test ton 👏👏#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/mQ4Rfnd8UX
KL Rahul (7 Test 100s) now has a 100+ in all countries & continents he has played Tests in.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 26, 2021
2 in England
1 in Australia
1 in India
1 in Sri Lanka
1 in West Indies
1 in South Africa
2 in Asia
2 in Europe
1 in Americas
1 in Oceania
1 in Africa#IndvSA #IndvsSA#SAvInd #SAvsInd
As a colleague of mine would say: "Always a pleasure, never a chore" watching a K L Rahul century. #Secure
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 26, 2021
Brilliant from Rahul. A century in South Africa is special. Another step towards becoming the player we all knew he could be.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 26, 2021
7th Test hundred for KL Rahul, he has been solid as a rock through the innings, coming back from injury and he showed his class. He has worked so hard from the England series to reach here. Keep going, KL. pic.twitter.com/gYENF8yYTS
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2021
From #BoxingDay debut to a boxing day ton. This is special @klrahul11 #SAvIND
— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora) December 26, 2021
He has been so so good across all format @klrahul11 brilliant 100 in difficult condition! #INDvsSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 26, 2021
quite something to end a two year test hiatus with a hundred at lords and then on boxing day! #SAvsIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 26, 2021
Welcome to the exclusive club of Indian openers with a Test hundred in SA @klrahul11 😁 very well played 👏🏼 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Fjz2RRA4aA
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 26, 2021
Haven’t seen an Indian batsman play with such style and control in overseas conditions as @klrahul11 today in a long time. Soft hands and magical timing.. A magnificent and potentially match winning 100 . 👍#KLRahul
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) December 26, 2021
Naam Rahul aur kaam bhi Rahul Wala! Well done @klrahul11 for another overseas ton. #KLRahul #INDvSA #INDvsSA
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 26, 2021
0.1K L Rahul
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) December 26, 2021
Superb century by @klrahul11, built on patience, sound technique and fantastic strokes. Playing according to the situation is the hallmark of quality batsmen. He’s done that
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 26, 2021
No 7 💯 in tests.
— Thana (@Pitstop387) December 26, 2021
Such a great innings from #KLRahul & what a year it has been for him & a great comeback. To score centuries in Australia, England, sa, West Indies. 👏👏
Well played #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/1JZILswdrR
A KLassy 100! 🔥 I am so glad we got to see KL Rahul inserted back into the Indian Test team this year. He’s played some great red ball cricket. A very versatile player. A well made century that is! 👏🏼 #SAvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) December 26, 2021
Four of the last five SENA hundreds by Indian openers belong to KL Rahul.#SAvIND
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 26, 2021
Now that’s what you call a vice-captain’s knock. 7th Test hundred for KL Rahul. #SAvsIND
— Prajakta (@18prajakta) December 26, 2021