KL Rahul Century: At a venue as grand as the Narendra Modi Stadium, KL Rahul delivered a moment just as majestic – a century that was eight years in the making, and yet timed to perfection.
On a sunlit Friday in Ahmedabad, Rahul brought up his 11th Test century, a milestone made even more special by the fact that it was his first on Indian soil since 2016. His knock – measured, mature, and full of class – was a reminder of why Indian cricket has kept its faith in him through the ups and downs.
THE CELEBRATION BY KL RAHUL. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JEEhFzCMTN
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 3, 2025
3,211 Days Later, A Homecoming of the Best Kind
It’s hard to believe that a player of KL Rahul’s talent hadn’t scored a Test century at home in over 3,200 days. That last ton came in December 2016, when he made a breathtaking 199 against England in Chennai. Since then, Rahul has crossed continents, formats, and batting positions – enduring injuries, selection snubs, and form slumps.
But on this day, he looked like a man rediscovering his rhythm, and more importantly, his peace.
Resuming on an overnight 53 not out, Rahul played with characteristic grace and patience, reaching his century in 190 balls. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t frantic. It was vintage Rahul – driven by touch, timing, and an unspoken hunger.
Climbing the Ladder Among India’s Finest Openers
With this knock, the 33-year-old from Karnataka now has 10 Test centuries as an opener, surpassing Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir (both with nine). The only Indian openers ahead of him in the all-time tally?
- Sunil Gavaskar – 33
- Virender Sehwag – 22
- Murali Vijay – 12
It’s an elite club, and Rahul is staking his claim with quiet authority.
A Purple Patch Backed by Grit
This wasn’t a one-off innings. Just last week, Rahul showed similar resilience in the longer format, smashing 176 not out in a remarkable 412-run chase against Australia A in Lucknow. That was his first First-Class century in India since that same 199 against England – an eerie full-circle moment.
In both innings, what stood out wasn’t just the runs, but the composure. Rahul looked like a player who’d gone back to his roots – trusting his defense, picking his moments, and refusing to get carried away.
More Than Just Runs on a Scorecard
What this century also brings is renewed clarity about KL Rahul’s role in India’s Test setup. With the team in transition and several senior players nearing the twilight of their careers, Rahul’s experience and form offer valuable stability.
Whether he continues to open or drops into the middle order, one thing is certain – he’s ready for whatever the team needs.
This hundred wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a statement: that Rahul, despite all the noise around him over the years, still belongs. And perhaps more than ever, India needs his calm.
Score Snapshot:
- Match: India vs West Indies, 1st Test
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Rahul’s Score: 100 (190 balls)
- India’s Score at His Century: 200+ in response to West Indies’ 162
- Last Test Century at Home: Dec 2016 vs England (199)
As he raised his bat to acknowledge the cheers, you could see more than just relief in Rahul’s eyes — there was reflection. Of the years gone by. Of the missed chances. And of a journey that has now, finally, come full circle at home.
