KL Rahul has made a resounding return to red-ball cricket, smashing a fluent century (116 off 168 balls) for India A against England Lions in the 2nd unofficial Test at County Ground, Northampton. Here let’s look at KL Rahul batting position in Test.
The innings couldn’t have come at a better time, with India’s five-Test series against England looming and a crucial decision pending over Rahul’s batting position in the lineup.
The right-arm batter, Rahul, has played the majority of his Test cricket as an opener. In 41 innings at the top (1st position), he has scored 1601 runs at an average of 40.02 with four centuries and eight fifties. His highest score of 199 also came as an opener. However, his strike rate at the top (52.76) indicates a conservative approach—valuable in English conditions.
At No. 2, Rahul has 1202 runs in 42 innings at an average of 30.05, which includes three hundreds. While still solid, his consistency dips, and he has recorded five ducks in this slot—more than in any other position.
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Lower-order appearances and flexibility
Rahul has been experimented with in the middle order sporadically. At No. 6, he has shown potential, scoring 234 runs at 29.25 in a century. In his two appearances at No. 4, he scored a superb 86 in one of the innings, pushing his average to 54.00, though it’s a small sample size.
His average dips sharply at No. 3, where he has just 112 runs in 7 innings at a poor 16.00.
Should KL Rahul open or bat middle-order?
With Rohit Sharma already announced his retirement form test cricket and Yashasvi Jaiswal likely locked in as one opener, the question remains: should Rahul take the other opening slot or drop into the middle order where he has recently looked more composed?
His recent ton in England and career-best numbers as an opener may tempt Gambhir and new captain Gill to reinstate him at the top. However, the team’s balance and Rahul’s flexibility could also see him move down when needed.
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