KL Rahul, frequently criticised for his modest Test average, put those doubts aside with a brilliant 137 at Leeds.
KL Rahul Embraces Senior Role with Composure and Class at Headingley
KL Rahul has quietly stepped into a more prominent role within the Indian Test team, transitioning into a senior figure with the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. No longer just a versatile option, Rahul is now a pillar of the batting unit—and he proved his readiness at Headingley with a composed and elegant 137 in the third innings.
While Rahul’s raw talent has never been questioned, his career has often been marked by inconsistency. However, 2025 has brought a turning point. With a resurgence in ODI form and now this Test century, Rahul appears to have unlocked the mental clarity needed to perform with greater consistency.
“I’m just getting runs now,” Rahul told Sky Cricket after Day 4 in Leeds. “There was a time I’d get starts but not convert them, especially in Tests. I’m much calmer in my head and not chasing numbers anymore. I just want to enjoy my cricket as much as I can.”
KL Rahul prioritises creating an impact for India over personal accolades
While KL Rahul’s mindset has shifted away from fixating on numbers, the statistics underscore his growing impact—eight of his nine Test centuries have come overseas. Despite earlier criticism over his inconsistent average and uncertain spot as an opener, Rahul’s commanding display at Headingley suggests he may have turned a significant corner.
Rahul now holds the record for the most Test centuries by an Indian opener in England, with three—surpassing legends like Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Ravi Shastri. Though he remains unsatisfied with his overall average, Rahul understands that runs and consistency will follow once he finds his rhythm. “It hurts when I look at my average, but I don’t want to think about numbers now. I want to make an impact and enjoy playing Test cricket for India,” he said.
As the thrilling contest heads into Day 5, the focus shifts to India’s bowling attack to seize all 10 wickets, while England needs 350 runs to chase in this balanced series opener.
