'You play and fight for 6-7 hours, you really cherish these knocks' - KL Rahul reflects on Boxing Day century against South Africa

KL Rahul’s seventh Test century headlined in Centurion in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion against South Africa, as India went 272/3 at stumps on Day 1. Rahul, the stand-in vice-captain of the team, brought up a masterclass of batting in difficult conditions, as he looked composed throughout his stay at the crease before ending up unbeaten on 122 by the end of the first day’s play.

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The opener started cautiously and continued showing discipline throughout the day, but never missed out on scoring opportunities, with none of the Proteas bowlers even coming close to trouble him. His knock had all the ingredients of a classic Test innings, as Rahul left plenty of balls, played close to his body and rarely played a false shot. He has struck one six and 14 fours thus far, while this was his sixth overseas century.

In an interaction with BCCI later on the day, he termed the knock a special one. "I mean, it is truly special; every hundred really takes something out of you and gives you a lot of joy. There are so many emotions you go through when you score a hundred. You play and fight for 6-7 hours' those are the kind of innings that really stand out and as players, we really cherish these," Rahul said.

"Really happy that I could stay there not out, and it is what is expected out of me. Once I and Mayank got off to a good start, I started enjoying my batting, and I did not think too far ahead," he added.

Revealing how he prepared for the series, Rahul said: "Preparation has been really good; the purpose and the intensity we had in training that was something very refreshing. All the batters that batted on Day 1 were really focused; you could see that we have put in a lot of work. I'm not someone who bats hours and hours in the nets; I do spend a lot of time thinking about my batting and visualising my innings.