KL Rahul scores an emotional century at home, ends a nine-year wait, strengthens India’s innings, celebrates with pride, and joins cricketing legends.
Day 2 of the first Test between India and the West Indies became memorable for KL Rahul as he ended a nine-year wait for a Test hundred on home soil. The opener reached his 11th Test century, his first at home since December 2016 against England in Chennai. The innings carried immense significance, both for Rahul and Indian cricket, as he finally converted years of effort into a milestone that had long eluded him.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) highlighted the moment on social media. In a post on X, it wrote that Rahul had reached his “Test hundred No. 11” and praised him for continuing his sublime form. The update also noted that Team India had crossed the 200-run mark, capturing both Rahul’s achievement and the team’s progress in the match.
KL Rahul’s Composed and Emotional Century
Rahul’s innings displayed patience and composure at the top of the order. He survived an early scare when an outside edge slipped between the wicketkeeper and slip, but after that moment he batted fluently and with control. When he reached his hundred, he celebrated with emotion by removing his helmet, raising his bat, and kissing the Indian badge on his jersey. The celebration reflected both relief and pride after a long wait for a home century.
The statistical context made his innings even more special. Only a few Indian players have gone through such long gaps between two home Test centuries. R. Ashwin endured 36 innings, Syed Kirmani had 32, and Rahul himself reached the mark after 26 innings. The list also includes greats like Chandu Borde, Vijay Manjrekar, Polly Umrigar, Kapil Dev, and Ajinkya Rahane. Rahul’s name now joins theirs, underlining the resilience required to overcome such droughts.
India in a Strong Position on Day 2
By lunch on Day 2, India reached 218 for 3, holding a 56-run lead. Rahul’s steady knock provided the backbone of the innings. Shubman Gill gave him strong support with a fluent fifty but lost his wicket attempting a reverse sweep to Roston Chase. Dhruv Jurel then joined Rahul and looked calm at the crease, ensuring India carried their advantage forward with seven wickets still in hand.
The West Indies bowlers maintained discipline and created half-chances, but Rahul’s innings absorbed the pressure and allowed India to strengthen their control of the match.
KL Rahul’s Early Life and Family
Kannur Lokesh Rahul, popularly known as KL Rahul, was born on 18 April 1992 in Bangalore, Karnataka, and raised in Mangalore. His father, K. N. Lokesh, is a professor and former director at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) in Surathkal, and his mother, Rajeshwari, is a professor at Mangalore University. His name has a unique story. His father, a fan of Sunil Gavaskar, wanted to name him after Gavaskar’s son Rohan but mistakenly recalled the name as Rahul. That name has since become famous in Indian cricket.
Rahul studied at NITK English Medium School and later pursued his pre-university education at St. Aloysius College in Mangalore. At 18, he moved to Bengaluru to study at Jain University while also focusing on cricket. He married Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, daughter of actor Suniel Shetty, in January 2023. The couple welcomed their daughter in March 2025.
Rahul’s Rise in Cricket
Rahul began his domestic career for Karnataka in the 2010–11 season. He represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in 2010. His breakthrough came in the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy, when he scored more than 1,000 runs and caught the attention of selectors. He made his Test debut in December 2014 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Rahul made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Zimbabwe in 2016. He scored a hundred on debut, becoming the first Indian player to achieve the feat. Since then, he has scored centuries in T20 internationals and joined the elite group of Indians with hundreds in all three formats. Over the years, Rahul has adapted to different roles, opening the innings as well as anchoring the middle order, which shows his versatility and importance to the team.
Success in the IPL
Rahul also built a strong reputation in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He debuted in 2013 as a player with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) before moving on to the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2014. Rahul would in fact return to RCB in 2016, but in his time with the Punjab Kings, he developed a reputation as one of the most consistent run scorers and registered some of the fastest fifties and notable centuries in the league. In 2022, he signed with the Lucknow Super Giants for ₹17 crore as captain of the team, further solidifying his place among the most sought-after players in the league.
Records and Achievements
Rahul also holds several notable records. He is still the first Indian player to score a century on his ODI debut. Rahul has scored centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, establishing himself as a versatile batsman of the rare breed. Rahul holds the record for the fastest IPL half-century, scored in just 14 balls. During the 2023 Cricket World Cup, KL Rahul also set a record for the fastest century by an Indian in World Cup history, finishing the milestone in only 62 balls. These moments demonstrate his capacity to manage and modify his game based on conditions and formats.
A Century of Redemption
This century in India was significant for Rahul. It broke years of frustration and reaffirmed his status as a reliable run-scorer in the Indian side. His innings provided comfort to India but, more importantly, showed his intent to combat obstacles and criticism. For Rahul and his supporters, this hundred represented more than another tally on a scorecard. It served as a moment of redemption and highlighted his class.
FAQs
- When was KL Rahul born?
KL Rahul was born on 18 April, 1992, in Bangalore, Karnataka.
- Who are KL Rahul’s parents?
His father, K. N. Lokesh, is a professor and former director at NITK Surathkal, while his mother, Rajeshwari, is a professor at Mangalore University.
- Who is KL Rahul’s wife?
He married Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, daughter of actor Sunil Shetty, in January 2023. In March 2025, they had their first child, a daughter.
- What are KL Rahul’s major records?
Rahul is the first Indian to score a century on ODI debut, has centuries in all three formats, holds the record for the fastest IPL fifty, and scored the fastest century by an Indian in the 2023 World Cup.
- When did KL Rahul make his international debut?
He made his Test debut in December 2014 against Australia in Melbourne and his ODI debut in 2016 against Zimbabwe, where he scored a century.
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