Rise of KLRahul after Return—IndvSA 1st test.
SA tours have been challenging for India for the last three decades. India has never won a series in SA, and even in 1st test, they are not looking like they can win 1st match, which means one more series down without winning in South Africa.
IndvSA 1st test day 2:
On the close of Day 2, SA is in a commanding position thanks to a brilliant inning from Elgar. He is making his last series memorable by cracking a 100 vs. good lineup of India.
Making on opportunity Elgar:
IndvSA 1st test day 2 In the beginning, Elgar looked slightly out of touch, and he almost gave away his wicket in the first 10overs when Bumrah and Siraj were bowling. But he survived that scary session and then smashed Shardul Thakur and Prasidhkrishna severely. In his 140-run inning, he hit 23 boundaries, which shows how badly lord Thakur and Prasidh bowled in the middle session.
Africa are ahead in 1st test thanks to Prasidh and Thakur:
SA started poorly vs Bumrah and Siraj. The gates opened as soon as the spell of Siraj and Bumrah ended. SA batters Elgar and David Bedingham played smoothly. The 131-run partnership gives SA the upper hand in the 1st test match.
Thakur place in the test team:
Shardul Thakur has done well in the past in a couple of matches, but the consistency issue is hurting India badly in crucial matches. In today’s match, India looked strong until Shardul and Prasidh came. Both gave away runs, which allowed SA to take the lead on IndvSA 1st test day 2.
India is a nation of 150. We need a better option than Shardul Thakur, who can bowl and bat. Hardik Pandya was the option, but due to his fitness, that option is getting erased in test matches. India needs another option for Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur, which needs to be seen even in Ranji matches. Whoever is bowling and batting is similar to Shardul Thakur, allowing him to cement his place in test matches.
His career is short of 11 games, but how he is getting smashed is not a good sign. He needs to find accuracy in bowling, which can help India in tight matches like today.
Prince is not a Prince in actual cricket format:
The batsman’s real caliber is displayed in test format. It is the best format for testing batsman techniques, skills, and more. Shubman Gill still needs to impress in the red-ball format. In 19test matches, he averages only 32, which is way below his performance in ODI and T20s. In ODIs, he averages almost 60+ doubles from test matches.
Gill, no doubt, is the future of India, but his lazy style of playing and inconsistency could be better for India. Even on 1st day, he never looked settled and got out on leg side ball. India is investing in some players; indeed, Gill comes on that list. If you see his performance in ODIs and T20s, he is fabulous, but when it comes to test matches, he is not taking responsibility, which is a worrying sign for India.
Players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in the last stage of their careers. We need players like Shubman Gill to stand up and take the place of the current list. But looking at his performance till now, it is looking low. Indeed, he will get more chances in 2024, but he has to prove that he might lose his place in test matches in a maximum of 5 test matches.
Return to cricket is the rise of KLRahul in all formats:
Rahul has come a long way from being selfish to becoming an essential player in all formats. Yes, the Return of KLRahul from injury has been a dream restart. He was down and out and was not able to justify his talent. But right before the ODI World Cup, he started to play innings for what he is known for. He played sensible and meaningful innings for India in the entire World Cup.
100 vs SA by KLRahul is a class knock. In a challenging situation, Rabada and SA pacers bowling in seaming conditions took work. But Rahul played an intense and brilliant inning, helping India post 240+, which looked like it would end below 180. In the entire inning, he never looked like he would get out. Rahul played Rabada and other pacers brilliantly and smashed four sixes. To hit four sixes vs. a good lineup in seaming condition shows his class and bravery, too.
KLRahul has the best playing techniques in all formats. He was not playing freely don’t know for what reason, but Return in 2023 has been excellent. Indeed, we will see more from him, and India has a top-class middle-order batsman in all formats.
Who will win 1st test match IndvsSA:
Day 2 ended badly for India. SA is looking ahead in 1st test match. Conditions are suitable for SA pacers, and they have an excellent young lineup, with Rabada leading from the front. Indian top order is not looking as solid as they are known for.
If SA gets out below 300, India might go for 250+ runs in 2nd inning, which might make a match out of it. But we know SA tours have been challenging for India. Players like Rohit, Rahul, and Virat Kohli must play a big inning to save this match. Otherwise, India might lose badly on day 4.
