India vs South Africa News: KL Rahul enters elite list with century in Centurion Test

KL Rahul was in fine form and started the Indian cricket team’s tour of South Africa on the ultimate high. Rahul shared a partnership of 117 with Mayank Agarwal. Towards the end of the day, he notched up his seventh Test century to help India reach 272/3. Rahul got great support from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane as India looked to break their 29-year jinx in South Africa. India has never won a Test in Centurion, losing in 2010 and 2018. But, with their current batting and bowling in top form, India is firm favorites to end their drought in South Africa on this current tour. A series win in South Africa will help India join Australia and England as the only nations to have won a series in nine Test-playing nations.

Along the way, KL Rahul’s magnificent century put him in an elite list of players. This was Rahul’s sixth away century out of seven. What is even more significant is that Rahul has hit five out of his six away centuries in SENA-W countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia, and West Indies). Although Rahul has not scored a century in New Zealand, he has a brilliant record against all other nations.

In the previous cycle in 2018, Rahul struggled against South Africa and Australia. He did not play in New Zealand but had immense success against England.

KL Rahul in the league of Virat Kohli for overseas dominance

The fact that KL Rahul has scored six out of his seven Test centuries away from India shows his worth. Take out the knock against Sri Lanka and KL Rahul’s five centuries are in the countries mentioned above. The century against South Africa pushed his average in that country close to 40. Against the West Indies, he averages close to 50. His two centuries in England have pushed his average in the country close to 35. Here is the list of KL Rahul’s centuries in the SENA-W countries.

Read | South Africa vs India, 1st Test Day 1: KL Rahul’s stunning century helps India to 272-3

But, if one looks at the contributions of Rahul in the last seven years in SENA-W countries, he is on par with Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara. When one looks at the number of centuries he has scored in these five countries, he is level with Sourav Ganguly, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane. But, he has more hundreds than Dilip Vengsarkar and GR Viswanath. Here is Rahul’s contribution to the Indian team in overseas contests in these countries.

Rahul the key for India in 2021

If one looks at KL Rahul’s contributions in 2021, it has been significant. Rahul scored a century at Lord’s that helped India win only for the third time in 89 years at the home of cricket. Rahul’s century is a good indication for India. Whenever Rahul has scored a century, India has lost only once. That came when he smashed 149 in the Oval Test against England in 2018.

With Rahul scoring a century in Centurion, he has now conqeuered four out of the five countries. He was not picked in the tour to New Zealand in 202 and he did not play the ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton. Rahul’s absence was felt as India lost all three Tests. With this knock, Rahul would be determined to ensure India creates history in South Africa.