Top 5 highest scores by KL Rahul in test cricket

KL Rahul made his test debut in 2014 in Australia.

Indian test team batsman KL Rahul had a tough initiation to test cricket as he faced a searing Australian attack at the MCG on his debut in 2014 and was dismissed for two single-digit scores. However, his talent, class, and temperament came to the fore immediately as he struck his maiden century in his second test match, also against the same potent Aussie attack at the SCG.

Rahul had a stunning start to his test career as he racked up four centuries and 10 fifties in his first 21 tests and averaged 44. However, from thereon, Rahul has had a topsy-turvy ride.

While he registered centuries in South Africa and England, he remained inconsistent and was dropped twice from the team since 2018, but the right-hander managed to make a comeback. A player of his talent wasn’t to be benched by India and in 2023, he was moved from opening to middle-order.

On that note, let’s take a look at Rahul’s top five scores in test cricket.

Top five highest scores by KL Rahul in test cricket:

5. 123 vs South Africa, 2023

KL Rahul’s 123 against South Africa in the Centurion test match in 2023 is one of the best knocks by an Indian batsman in test cricket. Apart from Rahul, no other batsman across the four innings in the match made a century; such was his grittiness that he stood at the crease for 260 balls on a treacherous pitch.

India scored 327 in their first innings, courtesy of Rahul’s terrific century and then dismissed South Africa for 197. India then set the hosts a target of 305, which they fell short by 114 runs.

4. 129 vs England, 2021

In the India vs England Lord’s test of the 2021 series, Rahul provided a masterclass in leaving the deliveries outside the off-stump. He scored 129 runs in 250 balls and left the majority of the deliveries outside his body from the pacers.

Rahul’s 129 and Rohit Sharma’s 83 helped India to a first innings total of 364. And while England gained a slender first innings lead of 27 runs, the hosts were bundled out for 120 runs in the chase of 272 and lost the game by 151 runs. Rahul duly bagged the Man of the Match award.

3. 149 vs England, 2018

Another of Rahul’s terrific centuries is his 149 against England at The Oval in 2018. The fact that it was made in the fourth innings and on day 5 of the match makes it a truly remarkable knock.

India were set a target of 464 runs. And while the chase was never on, Rahul (149) and Rishabh Pant (114) did provide some hope. Eventually, the visitors were bowled out for 345 but Rahul’s knock saved his place in the side.

2. 158 vs West Indies, 2016

During the second test of India’s 2016 tour of the West Indies, in Kingston, KL Rahul went past 150 for the first time in his test career.

In reply to West Indies’ 196, India finished with 500, courtesy of 158 from Rahul and 108 from Ajinkya Rahane. West Indies managed to save the test match as it ended in a draw.

1. 199 vs England, 2016

KL Rahul’s highest score in test cricket is 199, which he made against England in Chennai in 2016. While this test is remembered for Karun Nair’s triple century, it was Rahul who laid the platform for Nair by scoring 199 runs in 311 balls that tired the English bowlers.

In reply to England’s 477, India crossed the 700-run mark and then bundled England out for 207 runs, winning the test by an innings and 75 runs.

(All stats updated till 16th October, 2024)

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