Watch: Rahul Dravid Gives Cheteshwar Pujara A Pat On The Back After His First Ball Duck In Centurion Test

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid was seen giving batter Cheteshwar Pujara a pat on the back, after the right-hander managed a golden duck in the first innings of the ongoing first Test match between South Africa and India at the Supersport Park in Centurion, which began on December 26, 2021, Boxing Day.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane came into this three-match Test series under immense pressure to score runs. Pujara has not scored a Test century since his magnificent 193 in Sydney Test against Australia in 2019 and while he has made half-centuries here and there, including some gritty knocks in India’s 2-1 Test series win in Australia in 2020-21, his bat has been silent when it comes to big runs.

With youngsters like Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, and Suryakumar Yadav emerging through ranks, many even wanted Pujara out of the line-up for the Boxing Day Test. However, the team management decided to persist with the Saurashtra batter and included him in the playing XI.

But his bat failed to get off the mark, as Lungi Ngidi’s inswinger took the inside edge of Pujara’s bat and Keegan Petersen at the short leg took an easy catch to send the batter back for a golden duck.

However, coach Rahul Dravid was seen patting Pujara’s bat as the batter smiled at the door of the dressing room in Centurion.

Watch: Rahul Dravid Gives Cheteshwar Pujara A Pat On The Back After His First Ball Duck In Centurion Test:

#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/SpMO6RtccL

— Ashwin Natarajan (@ash_natarajan) December 26, 2021

KL Rahul’s 122* Helps India Reach 272/3 At Stumps On Day One

Karnataka batting duo Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul gave India a very good start after India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bat first. India opted to go with five bowlers with Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin as all-rounders. Hence it was necessary for the team to have a good total on the board.

Rahul and Mayank added 117 runs for the first wicket before Ngidi dismissed Agarwal for 60 runs. Pujara was expected to steady the ship a bit but was dismissed the first ball. Captain Kohli made 35 runs in a century stand with Rahul before Ngidi enticed him enough to edge a wide ball to first slip.

In the end, Ajinkya Rahane made 40* adding 73* runs for the fourth wicket at stumps, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 122* with 17 fours and 1 six to his name and India on a handy 272/3.

Also Read: KL Rahul Becomes 2nd Indian Opener After Wasim Jaffer To Score A Test Century In South Africa