KL Rahul Eyes Historic Milestone in Final Test Against England

KL Rahul's Historic Opportunity at The Oval

In London, on July 30, Indian opener KL Rahul is set to chase a significant milestone during the concluding Test against England at The Oval. He is merely 32 runs away from surpassing the legendary Sunil Gavaskar's record for the most runs by an Indian opener in a SENA series, which includes South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.

Rahul, who has taken on the dual role of an opener and a seasoned player in a squad filled with youth, aims to extend his impressive performance at a venue where he previously scored 149 runs in 2018. That match saw India chasing a daunting target of 464 runs, ultimately falling short by 118 runs despite a remarkable partnership with Rishabh Pant, who also scored a century.

Throughout the series, KL has emerged as the second-highest run-scorer, accumulating 511 runs in eight innings across four matches, boasting an impressive average of 63.87, which includes two centuries and two fifties. His highest score so far is 137. In the last Test at Old Trafford, he contributed solid innings of 46 and 90, with the latter helping India secure a draw.

Should KL achieve 32 more runs, he will eclipse Gavaskar's total of 542 runs in four matches and seven innings, where Gavaskar averaged 77.42 with one century and four fifties, his best being 221 during the 1979 England tour.

In this series, KL has consistently scored fifty-plus runs in every match, and he aims to maintain this form. Another fifty-plus score would tie him with Gavaskar and Murali Vijay for the most fifty-plus scores by an Indian in a SENA series, both having achieved five (one century and four fifties).

If KL secures a century, he will become the first Indian opener to hit three centuries in England. His record in England is commendable, with 1,125 runs at an average of 43.26, including four centuries and three fifties over 26 innings, with a top score of 149.

One more century would bring him closer to Gavaskar's record of eight centuries as an opener in SENA conditions, currently holding seven centuries in these challenging environments.

Additionally, KL is just 45 runs shy of surpassing Gavaskar's total of 1,152 runs in England, currently sitting at 1,108 runs from 12 Tests and 24 innings at an average of 46.16, which includes four centuries and three fifties.

Will KL Rahul's resurgence continue at The Oval?