KL Rahul Approaches 9000 International Runs at Lord's Test
KL Rahul's Milestone Journey
London [UK], July 9: Indian cricketer KL Rahul is on the verge of a significant career achievement, needing just 199 runs to reach the 9000-run mark in international cricket. The third Test against England at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground presents a perfect opportunity for him to accomplish this milestone at the 'Home of Cricket.'
To date, Rahul has scored 8801 runs in 217 international matches across all formats. In Test cricket, the 33-year-old has participated in 60 matches, accumulating 3493 runs, including nine centuries. His highest Test score of 199 was recorded against England.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he has played 85 matches, amassing 3043 runs with seven centuries, his top score being 112 against New Zealand. Additionally, Rahul has made his mark in T20 Internationals (T20Is), scoring 2265 runs in 72 matches, featuring two centuries, with a personal best of 110 not out against the West Indies.
Rahul debuted internationally in 2014 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Over the years, he has adapted to various batting positions in India's lineup, finding consistent success as an opener. His recent innings of 137 in the first Test against England at Headingley showcased his current form and importance to the team.
Having displayed impressive performance throughout the England tour, Rahul aims to maintain his momentum in the third Test at Lord's, hoping to achieve the 9000-run milestone on one of cricket's grandest stages.
At Lord's, Rahul has played two Test matches, scoring a total of 152 runs, including one century.
In the second Test, England chose to bat first. After dismissing KL Rahul for just 2 runs, a partnership of 80 runs between Yashasvi Jaiswal (87 runs off 107 balls, with 13 fours) and Karun Nair (31 runs off 50 balls, with five fours) helped India stabilize. Captain Shubman Gill formed crucial partnerships, scoring 269 runs off 387 balls, including 30 fours and three sixes, alongside Ravindra Jadeja (89 runs off 137 balls) and Washington Sundar (42 runs off 103 balls).
Shoaib Bashir was the standout bowler for England, taking 3 wickets for 167 runs, while Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue each claimed two wickets.
In England's first innings, India had them struggling at 84/5. However, a remarkable 303-run partnership between Harry Brook (158 runs off 234 balls) and Jamie Smith (184* runs off 207 balls) turned the tide. Despite Siraj (6/70) and Akash Deep (4/88) taking crucial wickets, England managed to post 407 runs, gaining a 180-run lead.
India's response featured a quick half-century partnership between Jaiswal (28 runs off 22 balls) and KL Rahul, who scored 55 runs off 84 balls, hitting ten boundaries. A 110-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Rishabh Pant (65 runs off 58 balls) and Gill, followed by a 175-run stand with Jadeja, saw India declare at 427/6, setting England a daunting target of 608 runs.
During England's chase, they were reduced to 50/3. Jamie Smith (88 runs off 99 balls) was the only bright spot as England was bowled out for 271 runs, losing by 336 runs, with Akash Deep taking six wickets for 99 runs, achieving a ten-wicket haul.