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In a moment of significant personal achievement and historical resonance for Indian cricket, KL Rahul, India‘s elegant and resilient opener, carved his name into the record books on Day 1 of the pivotal fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester.
KL Rahul etches name in history books at Old Trafford
On Wednesday, July 23, Rahul transcended a major milestone, becoming only the second Indian opener in the illustrious history of Test cricket to accumulate 1000 runs on English soil, a feat previously achieved solely by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.
This remarkable accomplishment not only underscores Rahul’s exceptional consistency and adaptability in demanding overseas conditions but also solidifies his standing as a formidable Test batter on the global stage, especially in the challenging arena of England Test cricket, where he has consistently shown his prowess. Rahul’s enduring class and determination culminated in a rare milestone on Wednesday, July 23, during India’s first innings in the ongoing 4th Test against England at Old Trafford. Needing just 28 runs to complete 1000 Test runs as an opener in England, Rahul achieved this significant objective by deftly taking a single off Chris Woakes‘ first ball of the 15th over, marking a truly historic moment.
Rahul joins Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli and other Indian batting icons in England
This accomplishment elevates him to an exclusive echelon, making him only the second Indian opener, after the iconic Gavaskar, to achieve this distinction. Gavaskar, during his illustrious 16-year Test career, had amassed a total of 1152 runs in 16 Tests played in England. Rahul’s journey in English Test cricket began with his debut at Edgbaston in August 2018, where he batted at No. 3 in both innings, scoring 4 and 13. However, in all 12 subsequent Tests leading up to this Manchester encounter, he has consistently opened the innings, reaching his 1000-run milestone as an opener in his 12th Test in England in that role.
Looking at the broader spectrum of Indian batter, Rahul now stands as the fifth overall Indian batter to score 1000 Test runs in England, joining an elite pantheon that includes Sachin Tendulkar (1575 runs in 17 matches, 4 centuries/8 fifties), Rahul Dravid (1376 runs in 13 matches, 6 centuries/4 fifties), Sunil Gavaskar (1152 runs in 16 matches, 2 centuries/8 fifties) and Virat Kohli (1096 runs in 17 matches, 2 centuries/5 fifties).
As of his performance in the ongoing match, Rahul’s total Test runs in England now stand at 1017, achieved in his 13th Test on English soil, showcasing remarkable consistency with an average of 42.32 and 4 centuries and 2 fifties. It is noteworthy that among these five Indian batters, only Kohli has not managed to score 1000 Test runs against England in England (his 1096 runs include matches against New Zealand and Australia in England).
Rahul’s resurgent form in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar series
KL Rahul’s commanding batting performances in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy have firmly established him as a pillar of strength for the Indian side. Currently, he is the fourth-highest run-getter in the series with 375 runs in three Tests at an impressive average of 62.50, including two centuries and a fifty. In the series opener at Headingley, he displayed his resilience, scoring 42 runs in the first innings before unleashing a magnificent 137 runs in the second innings, though India ultimately suffered a heartbreaking 5-wicket defeat.
His strong form continued in the second Test at Edgbaston, where, despite getting out for just two runs in the first innings, he bounced back emphatically to hammer 55 runs in the second innings, contributing significantly to India’s resounding 336-run victory. The third Test at the iconic Lord’s further underscored his brilliance, as Rahul majestically scored 100 runs in the first innings, showcasing his masterful technique and temperament, and followed it up with a crucial 39 runs in the second. This century at Lord’s was particularly significant, making him only the second Indian batter in history, after Dilip Vengsarkar, to score multiple Test centuries at the ‘Home of Cricket.’
