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India vs England: How crucial is KL Rahul to the visitors' campaign?
India will turn a new page in Test cricket when they arrive at Headingley to kick off their series against England. It’s a transitioned team stepping up now, with the seniors having bid their farewells. The string of exits began when Ravichandran Ashwin unexpectedly announced his Test retirement midway through the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. At the time, no one imagined that Ashwin’s departure would mark the start of a major generational shift. But by the end of the WTC cycle, India had to confront the reality of losing two modern-day giants, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. In an abrupt and silent fashion, both quietly stepped away from the red-ball format, ushering in a new era. With the India vs England series around the corner, the younger squad will now look to experienced hands like KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja to guide them on English soil.
India vs England: KL Rahul's experience on the English soil a big boost for the visitors
Following the retirements of Kohli and Rohit, KL Rahul has emerged as the most senior batter in the Indian Test setup. Fortunately, the wicketkeeper-batter carries a strong record in English conditions. Since his debut in 2014, Rahul has featured in 58 Tests, scoring 3,257 runs with 8 centuries. Thirteen of those matches have been against England, yielding 955 runs and three centuries, his highest tally against any single team.
One of Rahul’s most talked-about performances came in Chennai, where he fell just one run short of a double hundred against England. Notably, two of his three tons versus England have come in their own backyard. In nine Tests played in England, he has scored 614 runs at an average of 34.11. Among players selected for the series, Rahul stands as India’s second-highest run-scorer, trailing only behind Ravindra Jadeja.
Leading into the high-stakes series, several things appear to be aligning in Rahul’s favour. Despite being part of the Indian Test circuit for over a decade, he never had a fixed spot in the lineup, often shifting between the middle and top order. That changed during last year’s Border Gavaskar Trophy, when Rahul opened for India in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Partnering Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul played a crucial role in India's only win of the series in Australia.
His performance in Perth convinced then-captain Rohit Sharma to drop himself down the order to let Rahul continue opening. With Rohit now retired, that position is expected to be Rahul’s going forward. India’s new captain, Shubman Gill, may also move up to the top, forming a top three of Rahul, Jaiswal, and the young Sai Sudharsan. Thanks to his extensive experience in England, Rahul is likely to be a key pillar of the batting lineup in the India vs England Test series, alongside Jadeja and vice-captain Rishabh Pant.
The form of KL Rahul in the build-up to the India vs England Test series
Adding further weight to his case, Rahul has already made an impression ahead of the five-Test series. After finishing his IPL 2025 campaign, he promptly joined the India A side for the second unofficial Test against England Lions. Marking his arrival in style, Rahul scored a composed century, reaffirming his claim to a top-order slot. He followed that up with a fluent half-century in the intra-squad match at Kent, further underlining his form and fitness.
While Rahul’s record alone makes him one of India’s biggest assets for this series, his recent performances provide even more optimism. Beyond Rahul, Jadeja, and Pant, India’s batting lineup has limited exposure to English conditions. Captain Shubman Gill has played just one Test in England. Jaiswal, who will open with Rahul, is set to make his debut on English soil. Meanwhile, Karun Nair, despite being a seasoned domestic player, will feature in England for the first time with the senior Test side. That said, his previous county cricket stints in the UK may help bridge the gap in experience.