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Rohit Sharma’s Exit Opened The Door And KL Rahul Walked In Like He Owned The Place

Jatin

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL, @Akshatgoel1408/x.com]Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL, @Akshatgoel1408/x.com]

When Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, it wasn’t just the end of an era, it left a massive hole at the top of India’s batting lineup. One of the most successful openers in the game, Rohit had brought calm, class and consistency to the toughest job in cricket.

Fans and experts wondered: Who’s going to carry the baton now? 

Enter KL Rahul. A man who has worn many hats: opener, middle-order floater, stand-in keeper, occasional captain, finally got his moment of clarity. And he has grabbed it with both hands.

From Drifting Role To Destiny Fulfilled

Before the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, Rahul had played the musical chairs game with India's batting order. Sometimes he opened. Sometimes he batted in the middle. Sometimes he was out of the XI altogether. He was always talented; that was never the debate but never settled.

Then Rohit stepped aside. And in that moment, Rahul’s path cleared. The team trusted him to open in England, perhaps the hardest place in the world for an opener and what has followed is nothing short of a red-ball redemption arc.

Rahul’s Numbers In The Ongoing Series Scream Consistency

KL Rahul has been India’s wall in this Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Across 4 Tests and 8 innings, he has notched up a whopping 511 runs at an average of 63.87. He has hit 2 hundreds and 2 fifties with a top score of 137.

But that’s just the start. He has faced 998 balls, showing incredible patience and discipline. His strike rate of 51.20 tells you he wasn’t just blocking, he was scoring when it mattered. Add to that 67 fours and you get the full picture: this wasn’t a survival mission, it was a statement tour.

Delivering When The Stakes Were Sky-High

Think about the scenarios.In the first Test in Leeds, he stood tall in the second innings with a brilliant 137 when India needed a solid reply to England’s big score.

In Birmingham, where his first-innings score was just 2, he bounced back with a fluent 55 off 84 balls in the second, showing he’s not one to stay down for long.

At Lord’s, his first-innings century (100 off 177) was an old-school grind, battling cloud cover, movement and sharp bowling. It matched England’s total and kept India in the game. He also scored a vital 39 off 58 in the second innings and laid the foundation of India’s 193-run chase.

In Manchester, Rahul chipped in a with 46 ball 98 in the first innings and in the second innings, when India lost Jaiswal and Sudharsan for ducks chasing down a 300+ deficit, Rahul stitched a 188-run partnership with Gill. His 90 off 230 balls wasn’t just about runs, it was about resolve. He played the role of crisis manager, soaking up pressure and blunting England’s momentum.

He May Not Be Rohit, But He Is Everything India Needs

KL Rahul is writing his own chapter. Rohit Sharma gave India solidity, strokeplay and swagger. Rahul is bringing calm, control, and character.

And with a fixed role as opener, Rahul is finally showing why backing him was always the right call. His technique against swing, his judgment outside off and his ability to bat time, these are the tools every successful Test opener needs in England. And Rahul’s using them like a craftsman.

His presence up top has brought balance to India’s lineup. He has allowed Shubman Gill to breathe in the middle order. He has given Jaiswal a stable partner. And he has eased the pressure on the engine room down the order.

Conclusion

They say when one door closes, another opens. Rohit Sharma’s retirement shut one era. KL Rahul just walked in and kickstarted another.

In the toughest conditions, against the toughest opposition, Rahul has shown he is not just filling a spot, he is owning it. With 511 runs, hours at the crease and knocks full of guts and class, he has made the most out of his second chance.

This isn’t just a comeback. It’s a quiet revolution in whites led by KL Rahul, right from the top!