IND vs SA: KL Rahul's gutsy knock at Centurion earns him social media praise and special distinction

KL Rahul made a grand comeback to Test cricket with a gritty hundred in the first Test against South Africa on Wednesday at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The Karnataka cricketer was dropped from the Test side in February this year during the home series against Australia after poor form.

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In his first Test since February 2023, Rahul slammed 101 off 137 balls as India were bowled out for 245 in the first innings amid tough batting conditions at Centurion. Rahul was the only Indian batter to cross the 50-run mark with the second-highest score being 38 by Virat Kohli.

Rahul’s fighting knock ended after Nandre Burger deceived his defence to clean up the stumps. He was the last wicket to fall for India.

With his latest century, Rahul became the first visiting batter to score multiple Test tons at Centurion. He had also scored a hundred at the same venue in 2021. He is also the second Indian wicket-keeper, after Rishabh Pant, to score a hundred in South Africa.

Rahul received a standing ovation from the dressing room for his gutsy knock and earned praise on social media. Here are the best reactions:

A standing ovation from the dressing room for KL Rahul. pic.twitter.com/u2SZG7vwZ8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 27, 2023

That’s a knock and a half from KL Rahul! Sensational innings on a tough pitch, against a very good attack..when he plays like this, you wonder how he could ever struggle…#SAvIND

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) December 27, 2023

Gutsy knock in challenging conditions. The discipline and shot selection absolutely spot on Really liked how late he played and when he played his shots there were no half measures. Well played @klrahul #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/9JXu1J2Bie

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 27, 2023

A century that KL Rahul will be extremely proud of. Everyone goes through ups and downs but this young man, as some of us have been saying for a while, is a very rare talent.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 27, 2023

ODI comeback – HUNDRED
Test comeback – HUNDRED

Only KL Rahul! pic.twitter.com/C1AWDmxLf0

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) December 27, 2023

KL RAHUL, THE MAN ON A MISSION.

– He has played one of the greatest hundred ever in Indian Test history. pic.twitter.com/YtWYxV6W0D

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 27, 2023