'His footwork looked precise and assured..'- Legendary India batter lauds KL Rahul after his brilliant century against South Africa in Centurion

KL Rahul's resilient century on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa has earned him accolades from the cricket community. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who recorded five centuries on South African soil, expressed admiration for the Karnataka batter on social media. Rahul came to the crease on Day 1 at Centurion's SuperSport Park with India struggling at 92/4, KL Rahul faced a challenging situation. But he went on to register his second century at the Centurion. This also made him the first batter to do so. He also holds the record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper batter on South African soil.

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Despite wickets falling around him, including a slump to 121/6, the 31-year-old displayed composure. Battling adverse conditions, the India wicketkeeper batter ended Day 1 unbeaten at 70. Continuing his resilience on Day 2, Rahul secured his seventh overseas Test century and eighth overall. India, eventually bowled out for 245, owed much to Rahul's exceptional innings of 101 off 137 balls, preventing a lower total.

"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 stage yesterday," Tendulkar wrote on his official Twitter handle.

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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

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 I feel South Africa won't be too happy with their bowling performance: Tendulkar

The former captain acknowledged the efforts of young South African bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger. Despite making his debut, Burger managed to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rahul. Coetzee, while securing only one wicket, showcased formidable bowling. Tendulkar pointed out that the Proteas might not be entirely satisfied with their bowling performance in conditions that favoured them.

"Nandre Burger and @GeraldCoetzee62 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," Tendulkar said.