In Indian cricket, whenever the captain has faced tough times, a ‘Rahul’ has often come to the rescue. Whether it was Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, or the recently retired Rohit Sharma, their trusted “Rahuls” stood up when it counted the most. Rahul Dravid, India’s legendary Test stalwart, built a reputation for battling elite pace attacks with monk-like patience. KL Rahul, in his own way, has echoed that resilience — delivering key performances for leaders like MS Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. It’s safe to say that challenges have followed KL Rahul throughout his career — and he’s rarely backed down.
In one such recent encounter, India clinched a convincing victory by 295 runs. Rahul played a crucial role, scoring 26 and 77 across two innings, and formed a defining 200-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
When Rohit Sharma returned for the second Test, the management retained the opening duo of Rahul and Jaiswal, moving Rohit to No. 6. However, that strategy didn’t work, as India lost the match by 10 wickets. Rahul scored 37 and 7.
In the third Test, KL Rahul once again opened the innings and crafted a gritty 84 — the highest score by any Indian batter in a match that ended in a draw. But drama unfolded in the fourth Test. With Rohit struggling for runs, he reinstated himself at the top of the order, pushing Rahul down to No. 3. That move didn’t pay off — Rohit was dismissed cheaply for 3 and 9.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul — clearly unsettled by the change — could only manage scores of 24 and 0.
The big question everyone began asking: Why tamper with Rahul’s position when he was doing well as an opener?
In the final Test, with Rohit opting out, KL Rahul returned to the opening slot. But India couldn’t turn things around and lost both the match and the series 1-3.
From a Young Age, KL Was a Fighter
KL Rahul’s ability to face adversity is nothing new, says his childhood coach Samuel Jayaraj.
“When he was just 11, he started playing in the Under-13s for Mangalore — and continued for the next 12 years,” Jayaraj recalled. “That region was known for its bowling, not batting. But KL stood out — he scored two double hundreds. I remember how smart he was. After the fourth or fifth ball, he’d take a single, switch ends, and make sure he was back on strike for the next over. Even as a kid, he handled pressure brilliantly.”
According to Jayaraj, Rahul’s maturity and discipline were visible early on. “He was always prepared. He was also a skilled wicketkeeper. He would rotate strike smartly and follow instructions exactly as told. Even during the Champions Trophy, he had a specific role — and he executed it perfectly.”
Despite a solid showing in the ODI World Cup, KL Rahul wasn’t selected for the T20 World Cup — a disappointment, but not an unfamiliar hurdle.
A Big Test Awaits in England
KL Rahul, who made his Test debut in 2014, has played 58 matches and scored 3,257 runs at an average of 33.57. Among the current squad touring England, Rahul is one of the few players with significant experience in English conditions. He has played 9 Tests there, scoring 614 runs at an average of 34.11, including two centuries and one fifty. His highest score on English soil is 149.
Having previously faced legendary English bowlers like James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Chris Woakes, Rahul walks into this series as one of the most seasoned Indian batters. His experience is expected to be invaluable — not just for his own performances, but also in mentoring the younger players.
Before leaving for England, KL Rahul met his childhood coach for a short but meaningful conversation.
“I always tell him one thing—‘enjoy and become.’ That’s my mantra for him. If you’re not happy doing what you do, your body won’t respond. You must love the process,” Jayaraj shared.
He added, “Form may be temporary, but skills and technique are permanent. When KL was playing state and zonal matches in Mangalore and Bangalore, we focused on red-ball cricket. That’s where he built his solid base. White-ball cricket came much later.”
Jayaraj is confident the English tour will showcase a more matured version of Rahul: “In England, you’ll see a calmer, more composed KL Rahul.”
Time to Own the Test Arena
Earlier this year in the IPL, KL Rahul paid tribute to the film Kantara with a symbolic celebration — drawing a circle on the ground with his bat, thumping his chest, and pointing to the ground as if to say, “This is mine. I belong here.”
That celebration might as well have been a message for his Test journey too.
Now, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test cricket, KL Rahul enters the England series as the most experienced batter in the squad. He’s no longer just a utility player — he’s a senior leader, a key influence in a young team led by Shubman Gill.
From guiding the field placements in the slips to sharing strategic input, Rahul will be instrumental in shaping India’s performance. Alongside Gill and Rishabh Pant, he will help steer the team, support the bowlers, and keep things composed on and off the field.
After years of being shuffled across formats and batting orders, this might finally be KL Rahul’s moment to make the Test spot his own — and there’s no better place to start than the tough, testing grounds of England.
