IND vs SA: KL Rahul Achieves New Landmark On 1st Day Of Johannesburg Test

Indian batter KL Rahul entered the record books on the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Rahul stood as the captain of India in the second Test as regular skipper Virat Kohli suffered an upper back spasm ahead of the match.

Rahul was named the vice-captain of the Test squad after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the Test series owing to a hamstring injury.

KL Rahul joins the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad Azharuddin in a rare feat

In the meanwhile, Rahul joined the likes of great Indian players like Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Mohammad Azharuddin and Bishan Singh Bedi to captain India in a Test match before leading the team in One-Day Internationals.

Things have been changing like a roller-coaster ride for the Karnataka batter for the last few months. Rahul was not even considered as a regular member of the Indian Test side as he had a two-year hiatus of playing red-ball cricket for India.

Rahul was named in India’s Test squad for the England Test series as a back-up and only injuries to Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal allowed him the chance to open the innings with Rohit Sharma. Rahul amassed 315 runs from eight innings and scored a marvellous 129 in the second Test at the Lord’s.

KL Rahul to lead India in ODIs against South Africa

Rahul has also been named India’s skipper for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, that will begin on January 19.

Rahul had unofficially led India during their fifth T20I game against New Zealand in 2020. Rahul led India on the field as Rohit, who was then stand-in skipper for India, battled with a calf tear during his batting in the first innings.

Rahul also has experience leading Punjab Kings for two seasons in 2020 and 2021 before he was released by the franchise.

Rahul started the South Africa tour with a blistering 123 in Centurion and followed it with a valiant 50 in the second Test where India were bowled out for 202 on Day 1 of the second Test. 

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