Manchester: Indian opener KL Rahul has added another feather to his cap by completing 1,000 Test runs in England, becoming only the fifth Indian cricketer to reach the milestone. He now joins an elite list that includes legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli.
Among Indian batters in England, Tendulkar leads the chart with 1,575 runs, followed by Dravid (1,376), Gavaskar (1,152), and Kohli (1,096). Rahul, with his consistent performances, has now become the latest entrant in this prestigious group.
In 12 Test matches in England so far, Rahul has notched up four centuries and two fifties, with his highest score being 149. As the fourth Test in Manchester gets underway, Rahul’s composed start alongside his opening partner has given India a steady foundation in their effort to level the five-match series, which currently stands at 2-1 in England’s favour.
Rahul’s overseas credentials in red-ball cricket remain impressive. Of his ten Test centuries, nine have come outside India, including seven in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries—two in South Africa, one in Australia, and four in England.
Though Rahul has faced criticism in the past for inconsistency, he has answered his detractors in this series with a fifty-plus score in every match so far. His calm temperament and technical discipline, especially while facing the new ball, have been crucial for India’s top-order resilience.
His best Test series performance remains the 2016–17 home series against Australia, where he scored 393 runs in four Tests at an average of 65.50, including six half-centuries.
Outside the longest format, Rahul has also made a mark. In ODIs, he has scored 3,043 runs in 85 matches at an impressive average of 49.08, including seven centuries and 18 fifties. In T20Is, he remains India’s fourth-highest run-scorer with 2,265 runs at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate nearing 140. However, his T20I appearances have been limited since the 2022 T20 World Cup, as India’s approach in the shortest format has shifted towards a more aggressive, high-tempo style favoring younger power-hitters.
As a senior member of the current Indian side, KL Rahul continues to play a crucial role in bridging generations, guiding younger players while anchoring the team with his experience and grit.
