K.L. Rahul: Zen monk of Indian batting touches a landmark at Lord's

There is a X-factor about getting one’s name on the Roll of Honour at the Lord’s – the boards which chronicle the centuries and five-wicket hauls. This is what has given Dilip Vengsarkar the tag of ‘Lord of Lord’s’ for his three centuries, the highest by any overseas batter - and KL Rahul can now pride himself as only the second Indian with two three-figure innings there.

The ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is seeing the 33-year-old, the seniormost batter in terms of experience since the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, revelling in the new-found respect and a dream form to go with it.

Four years back, Rahul emerged as the Player of the Match when in the company of Rohit as opener, he held a masterclass of batting in English conditions at the home of cricket under far more challenging conditions for his 129 as India went on to script a dramatic 151-run victory.

 This time around, he had done all the hard work to nullify a more potent England new ball attack in the series with the addition of Jofra Archer and was patience personified on third day too – till a lapse in concentration to a well flighted Sohaib Bashir delivery saw him perish in the hands of first slip exactly on 100.

The defiant 141-run stand for the fourth wicket between him and Rishabh Pant, who played through pain, saw them being unseparated after the first session of third day though it remains to be seen whether they have left a job undone.

CENTURY for KL Rahul! 👏👏

His 10th HUNDRED in Test Cricket 💯

And 2nd Ton at Lord's 🏟️👌

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/X4xIDiSUqO#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @klrahul pic.twitter.com/vFDNhWsnH5

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 12, 2025

In a series so far dominated by some superhuman batting feats by skipper Shubman Gill and his deputy Rishabh Pant, senior pro Rahul’s sequence of scores so far look as consistent:  42, 137, 2, 55 and 100.

There is not much that he is doing differently in terms of his batting approach but in his own words, it’s the assurance of a batting position at the top rather than being shuffled all over the batting line-up that is making a huge difference.

‘’In the last couple of years, I’ve forgotten what my position is and what I am comfortable doing. I’m happy to be given different responsibilities and roles. It makes the game exciting and makes me want to challenge myself and train that much harder. I have quite enjoyed doing that,’’ Rahul had opened up after his century in the Headingley Test.

‘’The last couple of series, my role has been to open the batting. That is something that I did growing up and in my early career. I am happy that I am back doing that and I am happy that I am doing the job for the team,’’ said Rahul, who is now the second highest rungetter among Indian openers in SENA countries after Sunil Gavaskar with 1606 runs.

Shubman Gill, the sardar of Edgbaston

During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rahul did get a few good starts despite often coming down as late as number six, but failed to capitalise and score a big hundred. ‘’It’s always disappointing for a batter when you get starts and don’t convert it and get a big score for the team. I was happy with how I batted in Australia, but very disappointed at the end of the series that I couldn’t convert those starts,’’ he had said.

 Looking back, one often feels it’s been a saga of what-ifs for Rahul – with his tryst with injuries or poor form coming in the way. There was also a time when he was hailed at a future captain in all formats as he played in them regularly till destiny had other plans.

 Finally, with the demeanour of a zen monk with his flowing mane, he looks at peace with himself in the avatar of the seniormost batter in the team. And this time, he is not willing to let any opportunity go!