KL Rahul continued his excellent form with the bat on Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad. The Indian opener scored a composed 100 off 197 balls - helping India reach 448/5 in their first innings and secure a massive 286-run lead.
The century reinforced Rahul's growing reputation as a versatile batter capable of adapting across formats - whether opening in Tests or batting in the middle order in limited-overs cricket.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra highlighted the difficulty of Rahul's role and praised his disciplined approach throughout the innings.
Akash Chopra praised KL Rahul's challenging role in Tests and ODIs
Aakash Chopra emphasized the mental and technical demands of Rahul's dual responsibilities for India. In ODIs, batting lower down the order requires a completely different approach as the ball loses pace and batters must play with soft conditions.
More: IND vs WI 1st Test: Dhruv Jurel scores maiden Test century and dedicates celebration to his father
In Tests, opening the innings presents its own challenges - demanding patience and precise technique.
"If you want to appreciate and celebrate him, you need to remind yourself that he plays only two formats for India and does the most difficult job in both. It's difficult to bat down the order in ODIs, where the ball gets soft, and you have to bat very differently. You have to go towards the ball there," Chopra said on Star Sports.
Chopra said that Rahul's adjustment to opening in Tests is especially impressive given his unsettled position in the batting order until recently. During the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he batted both at No. 3 and as an opener before finally securing his place at the top.
"He opens when he comes to play Test cricket. Opening is the most difficult job in Test cricket. You have to let the ball come to you. You have to change your game completely. He has done that job, where the batting order also doesn't remain confirmed," Chopra added.
KL Rahul's innings set up India in commanding fashion on Day 2 - showing once again why he remains a crucial part of the team across formats.
RELATED LINKS:
- Where to watch India vs. West Indies free live stream, TV channel, start time for 1st Test match
- IND vs WI Tests: What time is the India vs West Indies 1st Test match starting? Date and full session timings for Ahmedabad Test
- How to bet online on cricket in India and the most trusted sites
- Latest betting insights and tips from The Sporting News
- All the latest cricket news
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad: Pitch report, records, and highest scores in Tests ahead of India vs. West Indies 1st Test match