From Chennai to Lord's, Rahul's class against England has come through in style, grit, and nearly perfect hundreds
The air surrounding India's latest tour to England feels uneasy. A young captain. A squad missing its seasoned veterans. And an away record that's more painful than prideful. As Shubman Gill prepares to lead a fresh Indian team on English soil, one hopes a few familiar names will still rise to the occasion. One such name? KL Rahul.
He might not be in the spotlight as he once was, but when it comes to India vs England in Tests, Rahul has a knack for stepping up. Across 13 matches and 24 innings, he's amassed 955 runs at an average of 39.79. Among these, five innings stand out — not just for the runs but for their resilience, timing, and the match situations in which they occurred.
Let's rewind to the classic Rahul performances that turned heads, lifted hopes, and, in one instance, almost reached double hundred glory.
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Back home in the fifth Test at Chepauk, Rahul nearly reached a personal milestone. Facing a fatigued England attack, he crafted a magnificent 199 off 311 balls, placing India in a commanding position.
His partnership with Karun Nair (who went on to score a triple ton) enabled India to post a colossal 759/7 declared.
England were dismissed twice, and India secured victory by an innings and 75 runs. Rahul fell short of his double century but left a lasting impact instead.
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In the fifth Test of the 2018 tour, Rahul's 149 at The Oval came with India facing a daunting target of 464. It wasn't merely about shot selection; it was about determination.
His 224-ball effort instilled a sense of belief in the chase. Although India ultimately fell short by 118 runs, Rahul's innings was the standout moment of the match, providing a glimpse of India's resilience when the odds were against them.
One of Rahul's most refined knocks came at the iconic Lord's. His 129 runs off 250 balls were the cornerstone of India's first-innings total of 364. The patience and composure he displayed, particularly under cloud cover, were masterful.
India went on to bowl England out for 120 in the fourth innings, sealing a memorable win by 151 runs. Rahul's name was etched on the Lord's honours board — not merely in ink, but in intent.
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In the first Test at Hyderabad in 2024, KL Rahul stood tall with a composed 86-run knock. He came in when India were chasing momentum following early slips. Over 214 balls, Rahul anchored the innings, finding his rhythm with 12 boundaries. His measured batting helped India build a first-innings total of 436, seizing a 190-run lead.
The Hyderabad Test, however, ended in heartbreak. England fought back through debutant Tom Hartley's seven-wicket haul and Ollie Pope's 196, overturning the deficit and ultimately winning by 28 runs.
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The 2021 series opener at Nottingham saw Rahul dig in with a gritty 84 in difficult batting conditions. The ball moved, and the skies threatened, yet Rahul played with quiet authority.
He saw off James Anderson's spells, kept the scoreboard ticking, and helped India reach 278. Rain had the final say, and the match ended in a draw, but Rahul's control remained impressive.
