KL Rahul Shines Despite India's Loss in Third Test Against England

KL Rahul's Remarkable Performance

London [UK], July 15: After India's defeat to England in the third Test at Lord's, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised opener KL Rahul for his impressive consistency throughout the series. Manjrekar expressed that observing Rahul's batting has been the most rewarding aspect of his analysis during this tour.

In the third Test, KL Rahul became only the second Indian player, following Dilip Vengsarkar, to feature on the Lord's Honours Board multiple times, achieving his second century at this iconic venue. Unfortunately, his efforts were overshadowed by India's 22-run loss, despite a commendable effort from the lower-order batsmen and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who fought hard in the chase of 193 runs.

During a segment on 'Follow the Blues', JioStar analyst Sanjay noted that KL has made significant improvements in his technique. He stated, 'The greatest satisfaction I've experienced as an analyst and former cricketer has come from watching KL Rahul. He has always possessed the talent, but he has addressed the flaws in his technique. What was previously lacking was consistency.'

He humorously referred to KL as 'Mr. Consistent KL Rahul' on one of their shows, acknowledging that it took time for him to truly earn that title. Having played over 50 Test matches for India, Manjrekar believes that Rahul's current form is nearly flawless, with no apparent weaknesses. This series marks the first time he has scored over 200 runs in an overseas series, which is a significant achievement for India.

In the ongoing series, KL Rahul has accumulated 375 runs across three matches and six innings, averaging 62.50, with a top score of 137, including two centuries and a fifty. He ranks as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the series, and his performance has notably improved his batting average in England, elevating it from the 30s to the early 40s. In 12 Tests played in England, he has amassed 989 runs at an average of 41.20, featuring four centuries and two fifties in 24 innings, with a personal best of 149.

Despite his technical prowess and diverse shot selection, KL has faced criticism for his inconsistency, reflected in a Test average of 35.26 after 61 matches, where he has scored 3,632 runs in 107 innings, including 10 centuries and 18 fifties. Nevertheless, he remains one of India's most reliable batsmen outside Asia, with nine of his ten Test centuries scored away from home. Notably, seven of his Test hundreds have come in SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—with one century in Australia and two in South Africa.

KL's overall Test statistics against England are impressive, totaling 1,330 runs in 16 matches and 30 innings at an average of 44.33, including five centuries and three fifties, with a highest score of 199.

With two matches left in the series, KL has the opportunity to achieve his best statistical performance in Tests. His highest series performance to date was during the 2016-17 series against Australia at home, where he scored 393 runs in four matches and seven innings, averaging 65.50, with six fifties and a top score of 90.

In the match, England won the toss and chose to bat first. They initially struggled at 44/2, but a partnership of 109 runs between Ollie Pope (44 runs off 104 balls) and Joe Root (104 runs off 199 balls) helped stabilize their innings. A counter-attacking 84-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Brydon Carse (56 runs off 83 balls) and Jamie Smith (51 runs off 56 balls) propelled England to a total of 387.

Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for India, taking 5 wickets for 74 runs.

In India's second innings, they lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early, but a 61-run partnership between Karun Nair (26 runs off 46 balls) and KL Rahul, followed by a 141-run partnership between KL (100 runs off 177 balls) and Rishabh Pant (74 runs off 112 balls), brought India close to England's total. Ravindra Jadeja's brilliant half-century (72 runs off 131 balls) and contributions from Nitish Kumar Reddy (30 runs) and Washington Sundar (23 runs) helped India match England's score of 387.

Chris Woakes was England's leading bowler in this innings, taking 3 wickets for 84 runs.

In England's second innings, India maintained pressure, except for a 67-run partnership between Root (40 runs off 96 balls) and Stokes (33 runs off 96 balls). Washington Sundar's impressive spell (4 wickets for 22 runs) dismantled England's middle order, bowling them out for 192, setting India a target of 193 runs.

During the chase, India found themselves at 82/7. However, Jadeja (61* runs off 181 balls) showed resilience, forming partnerships with lower-order batsmen that kept England on edge. Unfortunately, Mohammed Siraj's unfortunate dismissal, where the ball spun back onto the stumps, led to India's collapse at 170 runs.

India now trails the series 1-2. Stokes was named 'Player of the Match' for his contributions of 44 and 33 runs, along with five wickets in the match, including a three-wicket haul in the second innings, alongside Jofra Archer, who also took three wickets.