SA vs IND 2024: Really happy that we could get this win – KL Rahul after victory at Newlands

India’s wicket-keeper bat KL Rahul was glad after their comprehensive win of seven wickets against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. India lost the opening Test match by an innings and 32 runs at Centurion however the visitors were able to bounce back in style in the second game.

India came up with a dominant bowling display in the first innings, skittling out South Africa for only 55 runs to put themselves in front. The tourists then took a 98-run lead after scoring 153 runs and then bundled out for the Proteas at 176 in the second essay.

The Rohit Sharma-led were able to chase down 79 runs to level the series. This was India’s maiden Test win at Newlands and a lot of credit goes to their bowlers, especially Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.

“Obviously, it’s a matter of great happiness that we have won for the first time in Cape Town. This is my third series and every time we come here, we were always in the game, but we ended up losing the Test match when we didn’t bat well in a session. So really happy that we could get this win and very special. In terms of emotions, honestly, no one is able to understand. It seems like the toss happened just now and the match was over,” said Rahul on Star Sports.

Rahul revealed how they turned the tables in the second game after they were obliterated by South Africa in the first Test.

“A little planning and a little change in the attitude. We can’t say we weren’t ready in the last Test match. We were ready but it happens at times in Test matches, that the opposition really blasts you out of the Test match. We are not used to it. In the last four to five years, we have been a team that’s really competed. We won series outside of India. So weren’t ready for that. It was a huge hit for us. It speaks volumes of how much we enjoy playing Test cricket, how much we value playing for our country, and how much Test victories outside of India mean to us,” Rahul added.

India will now face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting January 11.