KL Rahul once again reminded everyone of his class and composure in testing conditions, narrowly missing out on a third century of the England tour during the fourth Test at Old Trafford. His resolute knock of 90 in India’s critical third innings was not just about runs but about grit, timing, and temperament — the kind that saves matches.
Having already notched centuries at Trent Bridge and Lord’s, Rahul walked into Manchester in prime form. When India found themselves reeling at 0 for 2, facing a daunting 311-run deficit with five sessions left, Rahul stood tall. Alongside captain Shubman Gill, he stitched together a crucial partnership that steadied the innings and paved the way for an honourable draw. His effort wasn’t flashy but full of substance — a perfect example of Test match resilience.
- Former opener Aakash Chopra was effusive in his praise, calling KL Rahul a “tapasvi” (ascetic) for the zen-like focus he displayed at the crease. “He may have fallen short of the hundred, but the kind of mental and technical discipline he’s shown is remarkable. At some point, people need to acknowledge the value he brings,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
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Rahul ended the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as India’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 511 runs at an average of 63.87 across eight innings. Only Shubman Gill stood ahead with a staggering 702 runs and four centuries. Chopra also emphasised how Rahul’s consistency at the top meant India didn’t feel the absence of veteran opener Rohit Sharma, who retired before the series.
Rahul’s innings wasn’t just statistically significant. He became only the second Asian opener after Sunil Gavaskar to score over 500 runs in a Test series in England — and the first since South Africa’s Graeme Smith in 2003 to achieve this feat as a visiting opener.
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In many ways, Rahul has redefined his role in this Indian setup — from an elegant stroke-maker to a reliable bulwark under pressure. And as India heads into the decider, his presence at the top of the order remains vital not just for runs, but for belief.
