If you're KL Rahul, you don’t attract as many headlines as Kohli or Pant

Scoring a hundred in cricket is a big feat but scoring a hundred in Test cricket is a greater challenge. And, scoring a hundred as an opener in Test cricket is, perhaps, the hardest. 

Who has the most hundreds in Test cricket as an opener? 

Sir Sunil Gavaskar tops the tally with 33 hundreds followed by Virender Sehwag with 22 hundreds. Murali Vijay is third with 12 hundreds.

KL Rahul brought up his ninth Test hundred as an opener during the third Test against England at Lord’s on Saturday. He is now joint fourth in the list along with Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir.  

As an opener, you face the new ball and bowlers who are fresh, focused, and full of energy. The fielders aren’t tired, rallying behind their bowlers and pushing them to give it everything. The ball is moving and when the conditions are overcast, it becomes more difficult. Playing in the subcontinent as an opener is relatively easier than playing in SENA countries, where pitches are more conducive for fast bowling. 

Indian openers’ record in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) adds more weight to the argument. 

Out of 34 hundreds, Sunil Gavaskar hit 8 centuries in 33 Tests in SENA countries. Out of 22 hundreds, Virender Sehwag has hit 3 in 30 Tests in SENA. And, out of 12 hundreds, Murali Vijay has only 2 in 21 Tests.  

On Saturday, KL Rahul added his tally of hundreds in SENA to 6 in 29 Tests.

He has scored four hundreds in England, and one each in South Africa and Australia as an opener. Interestingly, he is yet to play a Test match in New Zealand. Out of nine Test centuries scored as an opener, KL Rahul has scored six hundreds in SENA countries. 

He is now averaging over 40 in Tests in England. In 12 Tests, KL Rahul has scored 950 runs, including 2 fifties and 4 hundreds. KL Rahul came into the ongoing England series as the most experienced batter in the Indian batting line-up. He had a point to prove as the whole country was worried about how India would fare in English conditions in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Having that leadership role does bring the best out of him. KL Rahul knows he is the one who needs to step up and play consistently well throughout the series. In Shubman Gill’s captaincy, KL Rahul, as the most experienced batter, is averaging more than any other captain he has played under. 

Some may argue that this is the weakest England bowling attack and that the pitches lack the spice they once used to have. The Dukes ball has gotten softer as well. Yet, facing the new ball still has its challenges. And, if you are a perfectionist like KL Rahul, you must play every ball on its merit, and playing unorthodox shots or making a mistake or two is a sin.

And if you are KL Rahul, you don’t grab as many headlines as Virat Kohli or Rishabh Pant.

KL Rahul is India's third highest run-getter in ongoing series vs ENG

In three Tests, he has managed to score 336 runs at an average of 67.20 with two hundreds and one fifty. On the last tour of England, KL Rahul invited criticism for not being consistent. He scored a century each in both tours but failed to string together consistent performances. 

However, he has put the past behind him and made everyone admire his flawless innings. India can win the series with Shubman Gill, Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant in ominous form, but KL Rahul’s bat needs to keep firing to lay the foundation.