ENG vs IND: KL Rahul joins elite company, equals Virender Sehwag’s SENA record in Test cricket

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KL Rahul’s consistency in SENA countries
SENA specialists: Indian openers with most fifty-plus scores

Indian opener KL Rahul has once again underscored his reliability in challenging overseas conditions, etching his name into the record books alongside former opener Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay. Rahul’s gritty half-century in the second innings of the first Test against England at Headingley marks his ninth fifty-plus score as an opener in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia), a testament to his consistent performance on demanding foreign pitches.

KL Rahul’s consistency in SENA countries

Rahul’s resilient knock positions him second only to the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who holds the top spot with an impressive 19 fifty-plus scores as an opener in SENA nations. Sehwag and Vijay now share the second position with Rahul, each having nine scores of 50 or more, while Gautam Gambhir follows with seven.

The Karnataka right-hander, known for his versatility and composure, displayed exceptional patience and technical proficiency on a testing Headingley wicket. After contributing a solid 42 runs in India’s formidable first-innings total of 471, Rahul faced a stern challenge from the English seamers on Day 3 and the morning of Day 4. His composed approach saw him reach his 26th career Test fifty, a crucial innings that not only steadied India’s second innings but also propelled him into elite company.

1️⃣8️⃣th Test fifty for KL Rahul 👊🏏#Cricket #KLRahul #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/XlATCGplVx
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 23, 2025

Resuming Day 4 at 90/2 with a 96-run lead, India aimed to build on their advantage with Rahul and captain Shubman Gill at the crease. Rahul, unbeaten on 47 overnight, quickly brought up his fifty, guiding India past the 100-run mark and further consolidating their overall lead. While Gill departed early after chopping an inswinger onto his stumps for eight, Rahul continued to anchor the innings through a tricky morning session, blunting the English attack.

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Rahul’s ability to adapt to different roles in the top order and deliver under pressure has solidified his position as a mainstay in the Indian lineup, particularly in crucial overseas Tests. His consistent performances in these demanding environments have earned him the well-deserved title of a “Mr. Reliable.”