One knock, one name etched into history. At Lord's in 2021, KL Rahul played a masterpiece that felt less like an innings and more like a statement
The 2021 series between India and England had all the hallmarks of a historic rivalry: packed stadiums after the COVID-19 pandemic, the red Duke's ball swinging in the air, and passion on both sides. India entered the second Test at Lord's after a rain-affected draw at Trent Bridge, but there was no doubt about what was at stake - Lord's demanded excellence. KL Rahul, who had last played a Test abroad two years earlier, seized that moment with a surgeon's calm and a soldier's determination.
Batting first on a pitch that revealed subtle secrets to the new ball, India needed a steadying influence, an artist - Rahul became both.
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Rahul's 129 off 250 deliveries wasn't just a century; it was an ode to old-school Test batting. From the very first ball, he played like a man aware of the weight of the occasion - respectful but not submissive. With 12 crisp boundaries and one audacious six, he danced between caution and counterattack with the ease of a master choreographer.
At one end, Rohit Sharma's 83 provided the perfect foil - flamboyant yet focused. Their opening stand of 126 laid the foundation for India's first innings total of 364, which would go on to set the tempo of the match. But it was Rahul who kept holding the fort when wickets started tumbling.
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When KL Rahul raised his bat after reaching three figures, he didn't just make it onto the Lord's Honours Board - he announced his revival in red-ball cricket. Until then, Rahul had been somewhat of a Test wanderer - talented but inconsistent. But this innings, on the grandest stage, cleared doubts and built a legacy.
It was only the 10th hundred by an Indian at Lord's, and the first by an opener since Dilip Vengsarkar's masterclass in 1986. The crowd, partisan yet appreciative, stood to applaud. So did the dressing room. Virat Kohli's nod from the balcony told you everything you needed to know: Rahul had performed when it mattered most.
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India's 364 was followed by England's 391, powered by Joe Root's commanding 180 not out. Yet, the match was far from over. India's second innings began shakily, with Rahul falling early for just 5. But the stage was set for a lower-order fairytale. Shami's 56 and Bumrah's 34 added 89 unbeaten runs, triggering one of the most emotional days in Indian Test history.
Then came the final day - England needed 272. They were bowled out for 120.
India won by 151 runs, and KL Rahul was named Player of the Match, not just for the runs, but for setting the tone.
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Lord's rewards composure. It values precision. It honours perseverance. KL Rahul's 129 exemplified all of that - and then some. For a cricketer who had often fluctuated between formats, seeking Test validation, this was the moment that redefined his career trajectory.
In a series remembered for grit, passion, and resilience, Rahul's innings became the calm within the storm - a kind of innings that doesn't just impact the scorecard but also transforms a player's identity.
