Published By: Rohit Chatterjee

BGT: KL Rahul’s Last 50+ Score? Been Over Six Years

When we started drafting this article, KL Rahul was at 36 in 82 balls

KL Rahul is often regarded as one of the finest Test talents India has ever produced. However, at the same time, fans and critics have taken numerous digs at him for his inconsistency and regular slumps. Fortunately, on Day One of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, KL Rahul was quite confident with his batting until a controversial dismissal sent him back to the pavilion.

The incident obviously did not sit well with the Indian fans who are craving to see KL Rahul score 50 or more against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After all, who doesn’t like a good redemption story?

A 50+ score from KL Rahul against the Aussies in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been long due. In fact, it’s been nearly seven years since KL Rahul scored a score of 50 plus. So, the question stands: when was the last time KL Rahul added a 50 against the Aussies in this coveted Test series?

The Rahul Show in Dharamsala

We go back to the year 2017 when the fourth Test match between India and Australia was played in Dharamsala. Batting first, Australia scored 300 runs in the first innings, and in response, India had posted 332.

Courtesy goes to KL Rahul, who had opened with a 60-run innings in 124 balls, whereas on the other end, Cheteshwar Pujara had scored 57 runs and Ajinkya Rahane had added 46. The match also saw a 63 from Ravindra Jadeja.

In the second innings, Australia could only post 163 runs, and KL Rahul again responded with 51 runs in 76 balls in India’s second innings. India won that game by eight wickets.

Third-highest scorer

The 2016/2017 season was a fruitful campaign for India as the team won the series 2-1. Among Indian batters, the season was a delight for Cheteshwar Pujara and KL Rahul, who finished as the second and third highest run scorers of the series, behind Steve Smith, who grabbed the top spot.

In seven innings and four Test matches, KL Rahul accumulated 393 runs at an average of 65.50 with a strike rate of 56.30. Throughout the innings, he had made six half-centuries, and the series had witnessed him sending 51 balls to fours while also adding two sixes.

Rahul’s recent BGTs

KL Rahul’s last BGT campaign isn’t worth recalling given he scored only 38 runs in three innings, whereas in 2020/21, he wasn’t part of the squad. His 2018/2019 campaign wasn’t great either, as Rahul only managed 57 runs in five innings at an average of 11.40.

The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be KL Rahul’s last appearance in this prestigious and historic Test series. Given that India’s cricketing scenario has no dearth of talented players, if Rahul doesn’t deliver this time, he may not get another chance. Not to mention, he is already 32, and his age could also be a factor for consideration in the team for the upcoming BGTs.

  • With fingers crossed, we firmly hope KL Rahul gets his 50+ score after a span of nearly seven years in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.