KL Rahul added another golden chapter to his career on Thursday as he scored yet another brilliant century at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground during the ongoing England vs India Test series. The stylish right-hander became only the second Indian batter in history to score multiple Test centuries at the ‘Home of Cricket’, underlining his consistency and adaptability in testing overseas conditions.
A milestone for KL Rahul
Rahul, who first struck a memorable 129 at Lord’s in 2021, replicated his class with a composed century in the current Test. The innings, marked by immaculate timing, sharp judgement outside off stump, and deft footwork, helped India recover from early setbacks and laid a strong foundation against England’s potent pace attack.
Key statistics from KL Rahul’s Lord’s hundreds
| Match | Year | Runs scored | Balls faced | Strike rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Test vs ENG | 2021 | 129 | 250 | 51.6 | India won by 151 runs |
| Current Test vs ENG | 2025 | 104 | 215 | 48.3 | To be decided |
Rahul joined the legendary Dilip Vengsarkar as the only two Indians to achieve this rare feat. Vengsarkar had scored three centuries at Lord’s between 1979 and 1986, earning him the nickname ‘Lord of Lord’s’ among cricket fans.
Rahul’s innings in context
Facing a charged-up England bowling unit under overcast conditions, Rahul walked in after the early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Showing remarkable patience against the new ball, he left deliveries outside off with precision, punishing only the balls that demanded a response.
His innings was characterised by:
- Solid defensive technique against James Anderson’s swing and Chris Woakes’ seam movement.
- Controlled aggression when England erred in length, especially off Mark Wood’s short balls.
- Elegant strokeplay including trademark square cuts and drives past mid-off.
Indian batters with Test centuries at Lord’s
| Player | Number of centuries | Years scored |
|---|---|---|
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 3 | 1979, 1982, 1986 |
| KL Rahul | 2 | 2021, 2025 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 1 | 2014 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 1 | 1996 |
| Gundappa Viswanath | 1 | 1979 |
Rahul’s entry into this elite list further strengthens his legacy as one of India’s finest modern-day openers in overseas conditions.
What makes KL Rahul stand out at Lord’s?
Experts attribute his success at Lord’s to his:
- Adaptability to bounce and swing – Rahul’s trigger movements and late judgement allow him to negotiate the extra bounce and lateral movement effectively.
- Temperament under pressure – In both hundreds at Lord’s, he has rescued India from precarious positions, showing calmness and maturity.
- Technical clarity – His compact backlift and still head position help him maintain balance on England’s seaming tracks.
Former cricketers react
- Sunil Gavaskar: “KL Rahul is proving again why he is among the best Test openers India has produced in recent times. Two hundreds at Lord’s is no small feat.”
- Michael Vaughan: “Rahul’s technique and temperament in English conditions are world-class. He is the difference-maker in India’s top order.”
- Sanjay Manjrekar: “He looked in total control. Rarely do we see English bowlers scratching their heads against an Indian opener here.”
England vs India: Match situation after Rahul’s century
At stumps on Day 1, India posted 312/6, with Rahul’s hundred setting the stage for a potential first-innings lead. Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten, eyeing a vital partnership with the tailenders. England’s bowlers, led by James Anderson (2 wickets) and Chris Woakes (2 wickets), toiled hard but found little assistance as the day progressed.
KL Rahul’s overseas Test centuries
| Country | Venue | Year | Runs scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Sydney | 2015 | 110 |
| West Indies | Kingston | 2016 | 158 |
| England | The Oval | 2018 | 149 |
| England | Lord’s | 2021 | 129 |
| England | Lord’s | 2025 | 104 |
| South Africa | Centurion | 2021 | 123 |
With six overseas Test hundreds to his name, Rahul continues to solidify his reputation as a dependable batter in challenging conditions outside India.
Future impact on India’s campaign
Rahul’s form is crucial for India in the ongoing Test series, especially with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill facing inconsistency against the moving ball. His ability to play long innings provides solidity and confidence to India’s middle order, which often faces the second new ball.
The road ahead
- India’s immediate focus remains on capitalising on Rahul’s ton to build a substantial first-innings score.
- Rahul will look to convert these consistent starts into big match-winning innings throughout the series.
- His performance also strengthens his claim to retain the opening slot amidst increasing competition from youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
KL Rahul: A brief career overview
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Hundreds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 57 | 3,480 | 37.3 | 10 |
| ODIs | 82 | 3,500 | 47.2 | 7 |
| T20Is | 75 | 2,265 | 37.8 | 2 |
Rahul’s adaptability across formats makes him one of India’s most valuable assets in the modern era.
Final word
KL Rahul’s second Test hundred at Lord’s not only adds a historic feather to his cap but also gives Indian fans renewed hope in their team’s quest for a rare Test series win in England. His innings, a blend of patience, elegance, and grit, will remain etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts for years to come.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available cricket match data, official statistics, and expert commentary. Readers are advised to check match broadcasts and verified cricket boards for detailed score updates and subsequent results.
