IND vs SA: "What Impressed Me Was..." - Sachin Tendulkar In Awe Of KL Rahul's Century

Indian batsman KL Rahul was the reason behind India’s joy on the Day of the first IND vs SA Test match being played in Centurion. Rahul helped India recover from an early setback on Day 1 and took the team’s score to 245 runs. Rahul played a knock of 101 runs, which included 14 fours and four sixes.

While the whole Indian dressing room applauded KL Rahul‘s ton by giving him a standing ovation, ‘master blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar was also amongst the cricketing greats who congratulated Rahul on his fantastic knock.

Sachin Tendulkar congratulates KL Rahul

Sachin Tendulkar went to his official ‘X’ handle and praised KL Rahul’s hundred. Tendulkar stated that Rahul impressed him with his thought clarity and also his footwork looked very precise and assured. Tendulkar added that the century will be very crucial for the Indian team in the context of the first Test match. The Indian legend also heaped praise for Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee and believes that they are a great addition to the South African team.

Sachin Tendulkar wrote on ‘X’, “Well played KL Rahul. What impressed me was his clarity of thought. His footwork looked precise and assured, and that happens when a batter is thinking right. This century is crucial in the context of this Test. India would be happy with 245 considering where they were at one stage yesterday. Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee look like a good addition to the South African bowling line-up. I feel South Africa won’t be too happy with their bowling performance considering the conditions.”

Well played @klrahul. What impressed me was his clarity of thought. His footwork looked precise and assured, and that happens when a batter is thinking right. This century is crucial in the context of this Test. India would be happy with 245 considering where they were at one… pic.twitter.com/Dtw9HpjAIC

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 27, 2023

KL Rahul was unbeaten on 70 runs on Day 1 of the first Test and helped the Indian team overcome the early batting collapse. Rahul made crucial partnerships along with Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj, which helped the Indian team reach 245.

Now, the job is in the hands of the Indian bowlers to restrict South Africa as early as possible and help the Indian team gain a lead in the match.

KL Rahul’s hundred was also very special as he was making his comeback in the longer format. Rahul played his last Test match in February this year and was excluded from the squad due to his bad form.

However, the last six months have been brilliant for KL Rahul as a batsman and also as a wicketkeeper-batsman, as he has scored runs in almost every match. Rahul was essential to the Indian cricket team during the 2023 ODI World Cup and took some brilliant catches behind the wickets.

KL Rahul also played a match-winning knock against Australia in India’s first match of the tournament and played some crucial cameo knocks throughout the competition.