For KL Rahul , Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies the Narendra Modi Stadium was filled with redemption and raw emotion. The batter reached his 11th Test hundred, and more importantly, his first at home in almost nine years.
The milestone carried huge personal significance as well. Rahul last scored a hundred in India back in 2016, during the Chennai Test remembered for Karun Nair’s triple ton. This time, his celebration carried another story as well. After raising his bat and kissing the Indian badge on his helmet, he added a touching new gesture – putting his middle and ring finger into his mouth.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The move was a special dedication to his baby daughter, born earlier this year in March with wife and actor Athiya Shetty . The couple, who tied the knot in January 2023, have often kept their personal moments private, but Rahul’s tribute was something out of the ordinary after he became a father.
Soon afterwards, Athiya Shetty herself responded on Instagram. Sharing Rahul’s celebration, she wrote, “The best for his best” with a heart emoji, as her short but emotional message captured the sentiment of the moment.
His stay at the crease, however, was short-lived after lunch. Barely 10 minutes after Athiya’s post, Rahul was dismissed soon after lunch. He was out for 100 from 197 balls, an innings featuring 12 boundaries.
His dismissal came against Jomel Warrican, who tossed one up outside off. Rahu went for a drive but couldn’t keep it down, offering a straightforward catch to Justin Greaves.
Watch KL Rahul's celebration here
Despite the disappointment of not converting his century into a bigger knock, Rahul’s innings had already placed India in control. At lunch, the hosts had extended their lead to 56 with seven wickets still intact, aided by Shubman Gill’s fluent fifty earlier in the day. Ravindra Jadeja walked in to join the action after Rahul’s exit.
For Rahul, though, this day will always be remembered not only for ending a long home-century drought but also for the celebration that held more meaning with his journey as a father.
The milestone carried huge personal significance as well. Rahul last scored a hundred in India back in 2016, during the Chennai Test remembered for Karun Nair’s triple ton. This time, his celebration carried another story as well. After raising his bat and kissing the Indian badge on his helmet, he added a touching new gesture – putting his middle and ring finger into his mouth.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The move was a special dedication to his baby daughter, born earlier this year in March with wife and actor Athiya Shetty . The couple, who tied the knot in January 2023, have often kept their personal moments private, but Rahul’s tribute was something out of the ordinary after he became a father.
Soon afterwards, Athiya Shetty herself responded on Instagram. Sharing Rahul’s celebration, she wrote, “The best for his best” with a heart emoji, as her short but emotional message captured the sentiment of the moment.
His stay at the crease, however, was short-lived after lunch. Barely 10 minutes after Athiya’s post, Rahul was dismissed soon after lunch. He was out for 100 from 197 balls, an innings featuring 12 boundaries.
His dismissal came against Jomel Warrican, who tossed one up outside off. Rahu went for a drive but couldn’t keep it down, offering a straightforward catch to Justin Greaves.
Watch KL Rahul's celebration here
Despite the disappointment of not converting his century into a bigger knock, Rahul’s innings had already placed India in control. At lunch, the hosts had extended their lead to 56 with seven wickets still intact, aided by Shubman Gill’s fluent fifty earlier in the day. Ravindra Jadeja walked in to join the action after Rahul’s exit.
For Rahul, though, this day will always be remembered not only for ending a long home-century drought but also for the celebration that held more meaning with his journey as a father.
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