[WATCH] Neither Joe Root nor Shubman Gill as Mark Butcher picks best batter of ENG vs IND 2025 series

The former England wicket-keeper batter, Mark Butcher, has made an interesting point after four matches of the five-match Test series in England. He has avoided calling Joe Root or Shubman Gill his favorite batter of the series, having seen KL Rahul face the new Dukes ball the best in these conditions, opening the batting for India. 

Rahul is the second leading run-getter of the series so far with 511 runs in eight innings at an average of 63.88 and a strike rate of around 51 with 67 boundaries. He smashed a fine 137-run knock during the first game at Leeds in the second innings before smashing 100 in the first innings of the third Lord’s Test.

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‘I mean, KL Rahul, what a player. Shubman Gill, at the end of it, is going to end with 1000 runs or something in the series. Maybe not that many, but KL Rahul, I mean, all I have heard, for the last god knows how many years, is how impossible or difficult it is to open the batting in England against the Dukes ball. Well, this guy, not just in this tour, but on the previous tour, has made it look very straightforward.’ Mark Butcher expressed in Wisden.

Watch: Mark Butcher calls KL Rahul the best batter of the ENG vs IND 2025 series

Apart from the two centuries, the right-handed batter drilled 90 runs in the second innings of the previous fourth Test at Old Trafford. It was an exceptional knock from the veteran, especially after they lost two wickets for zero runs on the board in the opening over.

‘Technique is something that, you know, has almost become a swear word in the game of cricket in recent times. But man, he is good. Defense is immaculate. Side-on play and plays it late. Got all the strikes that you could ever want to go along with that as well. So, it’s not just technique over run-scoring. What a fabulous player. He is my everybody out of everybody on both sides. I just love watching him bat.’ Butcher explained.

For India to draw the series, they will need to earn a victory in the fifth game. For that to happen, KL Rahul will have a key role to play.