IND vs SA: Did Rohit Sharma Take A Right Call To Push KL Rahul Down The Order? Ravi Shastri Gives A No-Nonsense Verdict

South African pacers were breathing fire on the first day at Centurion with the Indian batters getting exposed to the swinging conditions of South Africa. KL Rahul was the only batter who held the fort for India. Kagiso Rabada took a fifer on the very first day taking wickets of the big fishes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Debutant Nandre Burger also took two wickets of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

KL Rahul was handed a brand new role after marking his return to the longest format after a gap of 10 months. Unlike his previous outing against Australia in Delhi in February, KL Rahul was shifted to the middle order and the change in his batting order did wonders for the team. He also filled in for wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan who opted out of the series citing personal reasons. KL Rahul will be keeping for the first time in Test cricket.

KL Rahul scored a century in Centurion a couple of years back when India toured South Africa. Two years later he is back with another ‘KL’assical knock as he reached 70 at the end of the first day facing 105 balls. He hit 10 boundaries and two sixes in his innings and with him still at the crease, India can at least expect to reach the 250-run mark.

“He has made batting look easy. When you look at his footwork and the balance, it was pretty amazing. The knock also shows that the number is right for him in Test match cricket. I think he will get a lot of runs for India in the middle order,” Ravi Shastri had said on air.

KL Rahul Has Been In Good Form Since His Return After Injury

KL Rahul was out of cricketing action for a good five months after he injured his thigh during IPL 2023. Since his return during the Asia Cup 2023, he has been in terrific form. He has scored ample runs since his return and has also led the side in the ODI series against Australia and South Africa. He is also Rohit Sharma’s deputy in this series.

The Indian Team is currently struggling with eight wickets down but with KL Rahul at the crease, India can hope to cross the 250-run mark. He has been in good touch and can carry the bat for the team. If India crosses the 250 mark, it will be beneficial for them from the batting point of view.

India has never won a Test series in South Africa and they have a great chance this time to end this 31-year-old jinx. Rohit Sharma has the opportunity to be the first Indian skipper to win a Test series on South African soil. However, South Africa is not going to be easy on their home turf. They are a formidable team in home conditions and will be very difficult to beat.

The two teams will move to Cape Town for the second Test of the series which will be played at the Newlands ground. India will be looking to create history by winning the first-ever Test series in South Africa.