IND vs SA: Have Surprised Myself With How Calm I Have Been: KL Rahul

Team India embarked on their South Africa tour on Sunday after dominating the hosts with 272/3 at the end of stumps on Day 1 of the first Test in Centurion.

Karnataka duo of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal outplayed the Proteas bowlers in their 117-run opening stand before Mayank got trapped before the wicket by Lungi Ngidi.

But Rahul didn’t stop and carried his great form against the red-ball to bring up his seventh Test hundred and thus became the second Indian opener after Wasim Jaffer to register a hundred in South Africa.

KL Rahul remains unbeaten on 122 against South Africa

Rahul remained undefeated on 122 with his opening partner Mayank Agarwal got dismissed on 60. Ajinkya Rahane, who was under the hammer for his batting form, also found some rhythm in his 81-ball 40*.

My focus has always been to stay in the moment: KL Rahul

Rahul said that he enjoyed his innings after getting a great start and was surprised to keep his head calm throughout his innings.

“It is truly special, every hundred really takes something out of you and gives you joy. There are so many emotions you go through when you score a hundred. You bat for 6-7 hours, those are the kind of innings that stand out and as players, we really cherish these. This is what is expected out of me. Once I got off to a good start, I started enjoying my batting and I did not think too far ahead,” Rahul told BCCI.TV.

“Preparation has been really good, all the batters that batted on Day 1 were really focused. I just try to stay in the moment when I am out there in the middle. I have surprised myself with how calm I have been, my focus has always been to stay in the moment and react to the ball that is bowled. Really happy that I could finish the day on a good note,” he added.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli made 35 from 94 balls before he threw his wicket while chasing a full-length delivery pitched outside off stump by Ngidi, that he poked towards Wiaan Mulder at first slip.

Ngidi also got the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara and Agarwal to finish the day with three wickets for 45 runs.

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