KL Rahul Shines on Day 1 of First Test Against West Indies

On the first day of the Test match against the West Indies, KL Rahul showcased his exceptional form, scoring an unbeaten half-century. Former cricketer Parthiv Patel praised Rahul's performance, noting it as one of his best years. With a solid partnership alongside captain Shubman Gill, India ended the day at 121/2. Rahul's recent success in England has boosted his confidence, and experts believe he is on track to surpass his previous records. Discover more about his journey and performance in this exciting match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 3, 2025, 01:59 IST

Rahul's Stellar Performance

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], October 2: Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel commended KL Rahul for his impressive display during the first Test against the West Indies, highlighting that he has maintained his form from the recent England tour.

Patel praised Rahul's consistent performance, noting that this year is shaping up to be his second-best after 2017, and he believes Rahul is on track to surpass that milestone due to his excellent form.

Rahul achieved a remarkable half-century, reaching the mark in just 101 balls, as India concluded the first day at 121/2, trailing the West Indies by 41 runs.

At the end of the day, Rahul was not out on 53, while captain Shubman Gill remained at 18, forming a vital partnership to steer India forward.

“KL Rahul was exceptional today; he continued his form from the England series. There were doubts about his performance before that series, but he took on the responsibility admirably. It’s crucial for senior players to step up during a team transition, and KL did just that in England,” he remarked on JioHotstar.

“Today, he played the situation well. The West Indies bowlers were disciplined, and KL respected their skills. He took his time to settle in, and once he did, he effectively rotated the strike and used his feet. He appears much more composed and in control now. I believe his century against Australia A boosted his confidence, as entering a Test series with such runs under your belt makes a significant difference. This year has been remarkable for KL Rahul, his second-best after 2017,” he added.

Patel further stated, “I expect him to break that record this year as he looks in fantastic shape.”

Recently, KL had a stellar series in England, emerging as one of India's leading batsmen in the five-match series, which concluded in a 2-2 draw.

The right-handed batsman recorded his best Test series to date, amassing 532 runs in 10 innings at an average of 53.20, including two centuries and two fifties, with a top score of 137.

Former West Indies player Daren Ganga also lauded Rahul, describing him as a classical player who has found his rhythm in Test cricket.

Ganga noted that Rahul's understanding of his role within the Indian team and his approach to the game have contributed to his success. “KL Rahul is a classical player. The tempo he has established as a batsman allows him to perform at his peak, which stems from clarity regarding his role in this Indian team and his approach to Test cricket. He found that rhythm during the England series, and now we see a continuation of that. He’s comfortable leaving the ball, adapting to conditions, and adjusting to opposing bowlers. Technically, he is very sound, and he has crafted his Test cricket style around his defense and judgment to leave. This is intelligent batting, and I believe we are witnessing the best version of KL Rahul, with more to come in the future,” Ganga stated.

In the match, India lost only two wickets in the third session on Day 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan dismissed by the West Indies bowlers.

Rahul notched his 20th Test half-century in 101 deliveries, although he appeared to be experiencing some hamstring discomfort.

Brief Scores: West Indies 162 all out (Justin Greeves 32, Shai Hope 26; Mohammed Siraj 4/40) vs India 121/2 (KL Rahul 53*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 36; Jayden Seales 1/21).