A technically compact batsman at the top of any batting line-up lends a great deal of solidity to a cricket team, and this becomes more evident in Test cricket, where the real abilities of a batsman are thoroughly tested.
For several decades now, Rahul has been a name that comes to the mind of any Indian cricket lover while talking about a technically sound top-order batsman. Rahul’s era started in the 90s with Rahul Dravid, who earned the nickname “Wall” with his dour defence and later on was carried forward by his namesake from his same state, K L Rahul.
Rahul Dravid, who started his Test career at No.7, cemented his position as No.3 and played several pivotal innings for India until his retirement. K. L. Rahul started as a middle-order batsman and batted in various positions, and is currently donning the role of an opener in the Indian Test team.
Two continuous white washes for India at home necessitated an introspection into the performance of each Indian player, and with K. L. Rahul being the seniormost batsman of the team, his inconsistency and technical flaws against spinners have come under the scanner, which made a comparison with senior Rahul a worthy topic.
A comparison of Rahul Dravid and K. L. Rahul will reveal that their careers overlapped only in name. The contrast between their styles, temperaments, and achievements offers valuable insight into how the role of a Test batsman has evolved across generations.
Dravid was the embodiment of classical Test batting. His ability to bat long with precise judgement of the line and length of each bowler, his compact defensive technique, precise foot work against spin and seam, were unmatched, and he was at ease in any type of pitches in the subcontinent or abroad. No wonder he was the backbone of Indian batting for years.
K. L. Rahul, at his best, looks world-class and is more flamboyant, and his game is built for stroke-play. However, his technique also has vulnerabilities, like hard hands early in the innings, occasional indecision outside the off stump and inconsistent balance at the crease, which make him prone to streaky patches. The shot he attempted against Harmer to get bowled in the second innings of the Guwahati Test against South Africa is a testimony to his chinks in his armour.
It’s not entirely just to compare the two—Rahul Dravid is a legendary figure, a cornerstone of India’s illustrious Test era, and one of the best No. 3 batsmen ever seen in cricket. His reliability, technique, and success abroad elevate him to the ranks of the game’s greats.
K. L. Rahul, meanwhile, is a contemporary talent with flashes of brilliance. He is stylish, capable, and impactful at times, but remains a work in progress and yet to establish the unwavering reliability that defines Test greats. If K. L. Rahul doesn’t pull up his socks and rise to the expected standards, he will have to make way for a youngster in the Test team in the near future.