KL Rahul seals opening spot for Leeds Test with commanding 116 for India A vs England Lions — A timely return among runs ahead of England clash.
Most of India-A batters enjoyed a good outing during the first unofficial Test against the England Lions in Canterbury. Due to the foul weather in Mumbai, KL Rahul decided to link up with the squad and be part of the second unofficial Test in Northampton.
The presence of Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue, two England pacers from the upcoming Leeds Tests, gives the opener a great opportunity to test his skills. Rahul is the most experienced batter in the Shubman Gill-led side. After Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement, he has a huge responsibility, not just in the leadership group but also in the batting department.
Disciplined KL Rahul celebrates a century with incredible concentration
For his entire stay of 273 minutes at the crease, Rahul’s first and only mistake showed him the road to the pavilion. It was the first lapse in concentration for the right-handed batter after notching up 116 in 168 deliveries at a strike rate of 70.
The Bengaluru-born began the previous tour of England in 2021 with a century in the warm-up fixture in Durham. His 101-run knock came at number five. Later, he ended up opening with Rohit and played a significant role in the tourists’ success in the two London Tests.
Four years later, Rahul has again started the England trip with a century, but this time he opened the batting. The surface in Northampton wasn’t dull like Canterbury, where both sides crossed the 500-run mark in their respective first inning. On a green surface, the pacers got good carry and bounce under overcast conditions.
Woakes found the right line and length early in his opening spell of 2/8 in six overs. His sharp movement in the air kept the batters guessing. However, Rahul was different in technique from the other batters. He followed the usual rules to gain success in the longest format.
The 33-year-old played the ball late, keeping the bat close to his body, and never rushed into the shots. On most occasions, he met the ball with his eyes. Even when he drove the ball through covers, he was using soft hands, besides keeping his eyes till the last moment on the ball.
Tongue, after the lunch interval, challenged the veteran with an excellent spell. Rahul looked a little uncomfortable on the inside edge but didn’t give his wicket away. A few minutes before Tea, he used his feet to nail Farhan Ahmed for a huge six.
Once he celebrated his century, the Karnataka batter started to up the tempo with several drives through cover and the square region. He played the cut shots easily once he got settled with the pace of the pitch.
But he couldn’t carry the bat till the end of the first day. Rahul went hard at the good-length swinging delivery from George Hill. The ball seemed away outside the off stump as the thick outside edge ended in the hands of the second slip.
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A glimpse of KL Rahul's Batting 🤍 pic.twitter.com/tWhJSnlkUC
— ' (@KLfied__) June 6, 2025
KL Rahul locks opening slot for opening Leeds Test
The experienced campaigner’s art of leaving the ball in Lord’s to score his century was exceptional in 2021. He finished the previous England tour as the fifth-highest run-getter with 315 runs in eight innings. KL Rahul carried an average of just under 40, but his partnership with Rohit at the opening position brought success for India.
In the absence of the Nagpur-born during the opening Perth Test of the BGT 2024-25, the management opened with Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Despite the former India captain’s return, the Bengaluru-born retained his opening slot in the series. Even though the Blue Brigade faced a 3-1 defeat, Rahul enjoyed a decent time with 276 runs in 10 innings, shouldering two fifties.
He carried the form and momentum into the IPL for the Delhi Capitals. The wicket-keeper batter finished the 18th season as the ninth leading run-getter with 539 runs. He got the record in 13 innings at a strike rate of 149.72 with three fifties and one century.
In nine red-ball fixtures in England, Rahul has collected 614 runs with two centuries and one fifty. Opening with Jaiswal will also provide India with the right-left combination, which pinches the bowlers a lot.
Experience will be key for the side as they aim for their first Test series victory in England since 2007. Rahul’s century for India A will boost his confidence massively. Now, it’s about learning from past mistakes and avoiding them for the five-match Test series.
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