NEW DELHI: After
KL Rahul
's remarkable 101-run innings against South Africa in the first Test in Centurion on Wednesday, cricket legend
Sachin Tendulkar
lauded the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, describing his century as "crucial."
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Tendulkar commended Rahul's precise and assured footwork. The Master Blaster expressed satisfaction with India's total of 245 runs, especially considering their shaky start.
Tendulkar also praised Nandre Burger and
Gerald Coetzee
, noting their valuable addition to the Proteas' bowling attack.
He remarked that, given the conditions in Centurion, the hosts would likely be disappointed with their bowling performance.
"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. 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 wrote on X.
Sunil Gavaskar
also rated Rahul's knock "in the top ten in the history" of India's red-ball cricket.
"I have been watching cricket for over 50 years now, and I can undoubtedly say this century by Rahul has to be in the top ten of India's Test history because it's a different pitch here," Gavaskar said.
"A batter would not gain the confidence so easily that he has set, especially with the ball doing anything at any time."
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