KL Rahul couldn’t stop smiling after walking off the field at Leeds, raising his bat to the crowd following a truly magnificent century. It was one of those innings that reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the classiest batters in the game. On a pitch where most struggled early on, Rahul stood tall, showing incredible patience and control. In the interview after the match, he was honest, humble, and full of emotion.

“I just wanted to stay out there as long as I could,” Rahul said with a laugh. “Conditions were tough early on, but I knew if I got through the first hour, things would get easier.” And that’s exactly what he did. He left the ball beautifully, waited for the right moments, and when the time came, unleashed his trademark cover drives. It wasn’t just about scoring runs it was about sending a message: KL Rahul is back, and he means business.

He also talked about the support from his teammates and how much this knock meant to him personally. “There have been ups and downs,” he admitted. “But everyone in the dressing room believed in me, and that belief makes a huge difference.” It was clear this hundred wasn’t just another number on the board it was deeply personal.

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KL RAHUL SPECIAL INTERVIEW AFTER HIS INCREDIBLE HUNDRED 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Leq4oL73jg

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 24, 2025

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A Century to Remember, A Statement Made

This century at Leeds felt more than just a milestone. It was Rahul’s way of answering every doubt, every critic, with his bat. He looked composed, hungry, and completely in control something every great player shows when it matters most.

For fans, this wasn’t just a great innings it was a reminder of Rahul’s brilliance. For the team, it was a boost at the perfect time. And for Rahul himself, it was a proud, satisfying moment that might just be the turning point of his Test career.

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant have just sent to bed the thousands in the English crowd, even if they had watched all day the kind of exhilarating cricket that brings out the crowd in the first place in the 4th test at Headingley, reminding everyone why Test cricket can still take your breath away. Rahul seemed to be the embodiment of composure  he drove neatly, shouldered arms to anything on length and defended with the top hand like death depended on it.. Beside him, Pant was a storm: ramping balls while falling over, swinging for the fences with one hand, and generally causing England’s fielders and bowlers all sorts of headaches. Together, they built a partnership of 195 runs that swung the game India’s way.

For Rahul, this innings was more than just another century. It was proof of why he’s so highly rated despite a batting average that doesn’t always do him justice. With big names like Kohli and Rohit now gone, Rahul knows it’s his time to step up as the dependable anchor at the top. His hundred at Leeds  his third in England  was as technically perfect as any young batter could wish to emulate. Even when England tried to unsettle him, Rahul’s calm aura never cracked.

And then there was Pant. Nobody not even his own teammates truly knows what goes on in his head when he’s batting. He can be reckless, infuriating, and unstoppable, sometimes all in the space of five balls. His second century of the match was vintage Pant: a blur of edges, slog-sweeps, and towering sixes that had England scrambling for ideas. You can’t coach what he does  and that’s exactly what makes him special.

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A New Era for India’s Batting

As India moves into life without Rohit and Virat, Rahul and Pant represent two ends of a very exciting spectrum. Rahul gives the top order security, old-school technique, and a calm mind that soaks up pressure in tough conditions. He plays the ball late, trusts his defence, and shows young players how Test cricket should be played.

Pant, on the other hand, is chaos personified  and India wouldn’t have it any other way. He makes bowlers panic, captains lose sleep, and fans stay glued to the screen. When he’s on song, no total feels safe and no plan works for long. Together, Rahul and Pant promise India a future where tradition and audacity coexist  and where the opposition never quite knows what’s coming next.

On Day 2 of the 4th Test between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Australia dominated from start to finish, leaving India in a tough spot by the end of the day.

Australia Takes Control

Australia resumed their innings from 311/6, with Steve Smith leading the charge. Smith played a brilliant knock, scoring 140 runs and reaching his 34th Test century. With his support, Australia posted a massive 474 runs in their first innings.

Early Wickets for India

India faced early setbacks in their batting chase. Skipper Rohit Sharma fell cheaply for just 3 runs, caught out off a misjudged pull shot. KL Rahul also struggled and was dismissed for 24 just before tea, giving Australia a strong grip on the game.

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Jaiswal and Kohli Provide Hope

The Indian middle order did show some resistance. Yashasvi Jaiswal played an impressive knock of 82 runs, finding form with elegant drives and boundaries. He was involved in a solid 102-run partnership with Virat Kohli, who was batting with great discipline. However, disaster struck when a misunderstanding between the two led to Jaiswal being run out. Jaiswal called for a quick single, but Kohli hesitated, leaving Jaiswal stranded and out of the crease.

Kohli, who had been playing carefully, then fell for 36. He edged a delivery from Scott Boland to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, ending his gritty innings. India’s situation worsened when nightwatchman Akash Deep was dismissed for a duck off Boland’s bowling, leaving India at 164/5 at stumps, still trailing Australia by 310 runs.

India's Uphill Task on Day 3

As the day came to a close, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja were at the crease, with India still facing a mountain to climb. They will need to bat with resilience on Day 3 to avoid further collapse, while Australia will look to extend their advantage and press for a win.

The five-match series is tied at 1-1, and the battle for supremacy is far from over. India must regroup and show determination to stay in the game.

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