India, Dec. 5 -- KL Rahul has embraced the captaincy role with both composure and authority, delivering back-to-back half-centuries from the lower middle order against South Africa. With no established finisher available, the stand-in skipper stepped into that responsibility, absorbing pressure and producing calm, decisive knocks when India needed stability the most. He has piled up 126 runs across two games, producing knocks of 56 off 60 and a brisk 66 off 43. The two knocks once again underlined his versatility and growing authority in the lower middle order.

Proteas bowling great Dale Steyn heaped rich praise on Rahul's composed finishing, highlighting how seamlessly he has adapted to the lower middle-order and delivered under pressur...