SA vs IND | Twitter in splits after a cheeky bye paves way for a KL Rahul century
KL Rahul was the binding force in India’s first innings total after most of the batters stuttered against the Proteas bowlers. The gloveman’s effort came to a wholeness when Prasidh Krishna stole an uncanny bye to make way for Rahul’s century, that came with a massive blow over deep mid wicket.
The overnight pair of KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj initiated Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test after rain played spoilsport on Tuesday, which saw Stumps called at 208/8 after 58 overs. The former converted his well-binded fifty into a century under tricky conditions with assistance from the tail, governed by a cheeky bye that paved the way towards the milestone mark.
Mohammed Siraj supported the Karnataka-bred star for the most part of the Indian innings on the second day, glueing a 64-ball 47-run stand for the ninth wicket. The pair denied early wickets on the particular day after a rain delayed start, fetching boundaries against Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee within the first half-an-hour.
The frustrating partnership was damaged by Coetzee in the first ball of the 65th over and a bizarre incident followed in the space of the succeeding deliveries. After a couple of balls from the Siraj dismissal, Krishna missed a flick on a shaped down the leg stump delivery and scampered a bye despite the ball landing straight onto the wicketkeeper.
The bowler and the fielders behind the square were utterly shocked by this sporting display from the last Indian pair. Subsequently, in the same over, Rahul on 95, whacked a six off a good length delivery over the deep mid wicket region to bring up his second overseas ton in a Boxing Day Test. He was quick to strip off his helmet and raise the willow towards the dressing room, signifying the importance of the century to keep the hope of a series win alive in South African soil.
The Twitteratti could not resist pouring their emotions on this phase of play and here’s a glimpse of it.Smart running!
— cricket videos (@RizwanStum60450) December 28, 2023
— Travis Head (@TravisHead8441) December 27, 2023
That shot!!! Uffff 🔥
— Travis Head (@TravisHead8441) December 27, 2023
KL Rahul the warrior!
MAN OF CRISIS OF INDIA🇮🇳
— द्रोण 🔥 (@dronaparashar) December 27, 2023
Klassy 💯 from KL Rahul
A Knock that's remembered for a long time 🙌🇮🇳#KLRahul #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/d2sRGHI0Yh
He deserves it!
Kohli's clapping like a proud dad❤️
— need not know😏 (@Nknownlegend19) December 27, 2023
He had the trust in him and backed him , was with him in his lowest ❤️
He even proposed BCCI to make him VC but MC BCCI and Rohit has different plans😤
Anyway so happy for this guy🫡#KLRahul 🐐 pic.twitter.com/tUNa0cfpXE
He's the man!
KL Rahul scored Century from Centurion... 🇮🇳#INDvsSA #KLRahul #BoxingDayTest2023#BoxingDayTest
— Dibyendu Ghorai (@dibyendu4G) December 27, 2023
Take a bow! Champ
Extremely proud of KL Rahul..
— VJ (@VJsGamer) December 27, 2023
He stood like a wall!
The pitch wasn't easy to bat on but this guy🔥🌟 #KLRahul #INDvsSA #Centurion #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/xI7TRh1bZ7
— ` (@_slayer18) December 27, 2023
KL Rahul for you!
Innings of the highest quality, well played KL Rahul 💯#INDvsSA
— A K A S H Y A D A V 🇮🇳 (@akash__107) December 27, 2023
It will be remembered for the ages!
INCREDIBLE HUNDRED FOR KL RAHUL...!!!!
— Naresh (@Naresh46841242) December 27, 2023
India at one point 24/3 & 121/6 and then he scored a marvelous Hundred in tough conditions against a Quality bowling attack in SA in Boxing Day Test.#KlRahul #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/F34t10wIhR
Salute to the GOAT!
@klrahul 🙏 https://t.co/7LzO3bxGAx pic.twitter.com/Ucby9DANhd
— G.Ө.A.T (@iParth_) December 27, 2023