India finished Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa on top on Sunday. KL Rahul struck an unbeaten 112 to keep India going, while Dinesh Karthik explains how the former transformed into a Test player.
It was sheer dominance from India with the bat on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa of the Freedom Series 2021-22 at the Centurion Park on Sunday. India finished on 272/3, while wicketkeeper opener KL Rahul struck an unbeaten 122. On the same note, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik explains Rahul's transformation into a Test player.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik revealed that Rahul was very aggressive with the bat at the domestic level, making it difficult for him to sustain in the longest format. He recalled that Rahul had to undergo revision in his technique and temperament to adjust himself to the requirements of Test cricket. Eventually, he gained confidence and became the player that he is today.
Karthik reckoned that Rahul made some technical adjustments to his play, which involved his standing position, the positioning of his hands and other small stuff. He also hailed how Rahul handled the new ball, on how he left it and played it late. Since the England tour a few months back, he has impressed everyone and has been backed to open regularly in the longest format.
Karthik was also notable for Rahul's 100-plus partnership with fellow opener Mayank Agarwal. He remembered that since both hail from the same state and have played a lot of cricket together, it turns out to be a good bonding factor between the two, obliging India massively. They have become the first Karnataka pair to put on a 100-run opening stand for India.
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Karthik affirmed that there is no lack of proper openers for India. He gave examples of Priyank Panchal, Prithvi Shaw and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who have done commendably well across formats of late in the domestic circuit. He touted Rahul and Mayank for putting on a fair show and making good use of the opportunity in this Test.