Former India head coach Ravi Shastri heaped praise on KL Rahul following his century against the West Indies, but also took the opportunity to correct a widely held belief about the batter’s role in Test cricket. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired, Rahul has emerged as a reliable figure in India’s batting lineup.
KL Rahul’s resurgence began during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, where he showcased remarkable consistency by amassing 532 runs across five Tests. He carried that momentum into the home season as well, marking his return in style with his 11th Test century on Day 2 of the opening match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
For years, many believed his inconsistency was due to frequent changes in batting positions. However, Ravi Shastri dismissed that theory with statistical clarity, highlighting that Rahul has predominantly opened the innings throughout his Test career.
Shastri said :
“It’s a misconception that he has gone up and down the order. Because if you actually look at his career, since that Test he opened (2016 against England), he has opened in 94 innings and there have been a total of 110 innings in that period, “So, it is 90 per cent of the time that he has opened the innings. It’s because of the mix in white-ball cricket that you get a little confused.”
Rahul’s Century Reinforces His Test Credentials
Rahul’s composed century was another example of his evolution as a dependable top-order batter. He played a vital role in setting up India’s dominance against the West Indies, reaching his ton with patience and precision.
His innings of 100 runs off 197 balls, featuring 12 boundaries, showcased both resilience and control against a disciplined bowling attack. This century was also a continuation of his prolific run since taking up greater responsibility in the absence of senior players, underlining his adaptability and mental strength at the top of the order.
Despite his impressive milestone, Rahul’s innings came to an abrupt end shortly after the lunch interval on Day 2. The 33-year-old lost focus early in the session and fell to Jomel Warrican, missing out on a bigger score. Nonetheless, his contribution had already laid a strong foundation for India’s first-innings dominance.
India in Command as Jadeja and Jurel Shine
India maintained a firm grip on the contest by the end of the second day. Alongside Rahul’s effort, Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja also notched centuries, driving the hosts into a commanding position.
Jadeja remained unbeaten on 104, while Washington Sundar was not out on 9 as India stretched their lead to 286 runs at stumps. Earlier, Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell, which fetched four wickets, had skittled the West Indies for just 162 in their first innings. The comprehensive team performance left India well-placed to dictate terms in the remainder of the Test.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
