NEW DELHI: Keeper-batter KL Rahul produced a superb knock in testing conditions on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion.
On the day when the Proteas bowlers breathed fire on a green strip and overcast conditions, Rahul valiant unbeaten 70 stood out as the 31-year-old led India's fight, taking them to 208 for 8 before rain and bad light forced early stumps.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour lauded Rahul's superb fight in the bowling-friendly conditions, pointing out that the batter was very clear with his plans against the quality Proteas bowling attack.
"He is a man of crisis. Every time there is a tough situation most of the times he is there. He is very clear with his game plans what he wanted to do," Rathour said.
Talking about the conditions in Centurion, he further added that it was a 'challenging surface to bat' especially due to the rainy weather.
The batting coach added that they would love to have more runs on the scoreboard after the end of the first day. However, he added that the visitors did "reasonably well" against the Proteas on day one.
1/9:IND vs SA, 1st Test: KL Rahul shows fight after Rabada's high five
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2/9:SUPER RABADA
<p>South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took five wickets but a fighting innings by KL Rahul kept Indian hopes alive on the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday.<br /></p>Getty Images
3/9:RAIN-TRUNCATED DAY 1
<p>India were 208 for eight when bad light followed by rain brought an early close.<br /></p>PTI
4/9:'HIGH FIVE' RABADA
<p>Rabada took five for 44 - his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.<br /></p>AP
5/9:CLASSY INNINGS
<p>Rahul, who made a century to set up an Indian win on the same ground two seasons ago, was unbeaten on 70.<br /></p>AFP
6/9:PACE SPEARHEAD
<p>Rabada was outstanding for the hosts after they sent India in to bat on a pitch which had been under cover because of rain for 40 hours leading up to the morning of the match.</p>PTI
7/9:BRILLIANT BOWLING
<p>Rabada and Burger reduced India to 24 for three and India could have been in deeper trouble if South Africa had not missed chances from Virat Kohli (38) and Shreyas Iyer (31) in the early stages of a partnership which yielded 68 runs for the fourth wicket.<br /></p>AP
8/9:VIRAT FALLS
<p>Rabada dismissed both Virat and Shreyas as well as Ravichandran Ashwin in a three-wicket spell immediately after lunch.<br /></p>Reuters
9/9:KNOCKED HIM OVER!
<p>Iyer was bowled by a ball which cut back off the pitch and Kohli was caught behind off a superb delivery which swung away late before Ashwin was caught at third slip off a steeply-lifting delivery.<br /></p>AFP"It was always going to be a challenging surface to bat on because the weather was there, the wicket was undercover for a day or more than that. We would love to have a couple of more wickets on our hands at the end of the day but we did reasonably well, we have runs on board," he added.
Talking about Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, he praised the two batters and said that they played a crucial recovery partnership after India lost three wickets.
"The condition was tough. After losing three wickets, it was a good recovery partnership from Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, they both have played well," he added.
(With inputs from ANI)
