Ex-India Star's 'Lord Hanuman' Inspired Praise For KL Rahul Wins Internet

29.12.2023 - 10:08 sports.ndtv.com

Former Indian cricket team all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded KL Rahul's gritty century on Day 2 of the first Test match against South Africa in Centurion with a reference to 'Lord Hanuman'.

Rahul was the top performer for India with a brilliant century as wickets kept falling on the other end and he was the main reason why India could reach the respectable total of 245.

Pathan took to social media to post a video of Rahul's batting along with the caption - Sankatmochan (the saviour - another name of Lord Hanuman).

Rahul flexed his batting muscles in the visitors' middle-order as he scored 101 out of their total of 245, hitting 14 fours and four sixes. "Batting in the middle-order, you can't plan all that much, you just have to play the situation in front of you.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Irfan Pathan Kl Rahul South Africa India

Former India star Suresh Raina backed Sanju Samson as his leading choice for the wicketkeeper-batter role and called the Kerala player the X-Factor. It is worth noting that Samson and Jitesh Sharma have been included as wicketkeeper-batters in India's squad for three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Ishan Kishan is not a part of the series as he has asked for rest. Meanwhile, the team management has given no clarity on the absence of KL Rahul, who has cemented his place as wicketkeeper-batter in ODI cricket.

"The Moment Rishabh Pant Is Fit...": Ex India Star Issues Bold KL Rahul vs Shreyas Iyer Statement

As India's tour of South Africa concludes, there remain plenty of questions that the selectors and the team management are left to answer. The performances of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Prasidh Krishna left much to desire while a few others managed to deliver in fragments. As far as the No. 5 debate goes in the Test team, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels it's a position that will be decided between KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer once wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is fully fit and ready to return.

"Injury Can Happen To" Jasprit Bumrah: Ex-India Star On Need For Bowling Depth

India must focus on increasing the bench strength of their pace attack in 2024 as the Centurion Test exposed chinks in that department, reckons former pacer Irfan Pathan. Mohammed Shami's absence was felt badly in the heavy loss to South Africa in the opening Test of the two-match series in the Rainbow Nation last week.

"What He Needs To Aspire Is...": Ex-India Star's Honest Take On KL Rahul

Despite being critical of him in the past, former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad was full of praise for KL Rahul, saying that the wicketkeeper-batter enjoyed playing ODI cricket in 2023. Rahul finished 2023 with 1203 runs in 30 matches across all formats for India, and finished the year on a high with a century in the first innings of the 1st Test against South Africa in Centurion. The batter also played a crucial role in India's journey to the World Test Championship and World Cup finals. Prasad, who has been critical of Rahul in the past for his inconsistent performances, feels the player should also stake his authority when it comes to Test cricket.

"Don't Really Think About Her When...": KL Rahul Intriguing Reason On Why Wife Athiya Shetty Might 'Kill' Him

KL Rahul's performance was one of the few positive for India in the first Test against South Africa. The batter scored a terrific ton which was praised by Sunil Gavaskar as one of top 10 centuries for India in Test cricket. KL Rahul also had a good outing for India at the ODI World Cup 2023 where he donned the wicketkeeper's gloves as well. KL Rahul recently revealed the support he received from his wife, Athiya Shetty during injury and rehabilitation and her little superstition.

"No Sharpness In Bowling": Ex-India Star Blasts Pacers After Loss To South Africa In First Test

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has highlighted the lack of planning while bowling to the South African batters in the first Test in Centurion last week. The Proteas defeated India by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test at the SuperSport Park, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Barring Jasprit Bumrah, who bagged four wickets in South Africa's first innings, the Indian pacers struggled against the Proteas, with Dean Elgar smashing 185.