KL Rahul Centuries

KL Rahul has scored 14 international centuries for India [Source: Twitter]

One of the most talented batters in Indian cricket, Kannaur Lokesh Rahul, fondly known as KL Rahul, has craved his own niche. Rahul, who started as a batter, has donned the hat of a finisher, opener, floater, and wicket-keeper over the years, signifying his importance as an all-round cricket, more than just a gifted batter. 

With an aggressive approach towards batsmanship, Rahul is the third Indian player to record centuries across all three formats and is known for his excellent conversion rate.

For any cricketer, in particular, a batter, scoring centuries is the pinnacle, which only adds to the confidence that helps the player succeed under any given condition and format. Demand from a batter in cricket is - runs and is achieved if the batter dishes out hundreds, which asks questions about technique, temperament, skill, and importantly the hunger in the middle to accomplish greatness for the team. 

Exploring KL Rahul's Remarkable Achievements

KL Rahul in action [Source: Twitter]

Rahul started his Test career with a bang, slamming his maiden Test ton in his second red-ball game for India in 2015 at Sydney. Having scored runs in Tests, Rahul became the first Indian batter to register a hundred on ODI debut, further cementing his position with the side. Not one to stop, the Mangalore-born gained success in T20Is as well, becoming the third Indian batter to hit centuries across all formats for India.  

In just under nine-odd years, the 31-year-old has notched up 14 international hundred, despite being away from the side for a few years, which only showcases the batter's ability to score big runs effortlessly.

Break down his centuries across different formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20s

In 47 Tests, the wicket-keeper batter has slammed seven centuries and 13 fifties, amassing 2,642 runs. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain's white-ball numbers are also impressive, with five and two tons in 54 ODIs, and 72 T20Is, respectively stockpiling over 4,251 runs combined. 

Also a prolific scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter has struck four centuries and 33 half-centuries in 118 matches, accumulating 4,163 runs.  The Karnataka player has also slammed two T20 hundred in domestic cricket. 

Dominating the T20I Scene

KL Rahul has two T20I centuries for India [Source: Twittter]

In only his fourth T20I for India, Rahul created history, becoming the third batter from the country to score a hundred across all formats.

Rahul struck an unbeaten 110* against West Indies, laced with 12 fours and five sixes, exhibiting the hitting prowess the stylish batter possesses. Since then, Rahul has constantly been the backbone of India's T20I side and scored runs at a healthy average of 37, where his strike rate has been left desired by many.

Of late Rahul's batting has been criticised for not hitting runs off the mark and taking the match deep, which has often caused his team more harm than success. As an opener, Rahul's play against incoming delivery is also being exploited, with the batters foot-work being shabby during the first few overs, resulting in putting pressure on the side.

Rahul's second T20I hundred came in emphatic fashion against England in 2018. The former RCB batter blitzed to a 54-ball 101*, helping India chase down a stiff 160-run target without any concerns. 

T20I Centuries

KL Rahul's IPL Glory

KL Rahul has four IPL centuries [Source: Twitter]

Rahul truly made a mark for himself in IPL 2016 for RCB after moving back and forth in the first three seasons between franchises. Rahul dismantled opposition bowlers with ease and showcased excellent hand-and-eye coordination, which became his main attribute. 

After missing the 2017 edition, Rahul moved to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2018 and immediately made his intentions clear smacking a 14-ball 50 in the tournament opener for his side. Rahul's maiden IPL ton came in 2019 against MI, having scored three consecutive 90+ scores in 2018, and since then has added three more to his tally.

Moving base from Punjab to Lucknow proved fruitful as Rahul scored as many as two hundred in the 2022 edition, which includes a century in his 100th IPL match. 

Notable Centuries

• 132* vs RCB - Asked to bat first, Rahul wreaked havoc on his former IPL franchise and propelled away to his second IPL century. Rahul scored 132* off 69 balls, which had 14 fours and seven towering sixes.
• 103* vs MI - Playing a momentous 100th IPL match, KL classed his way to a historic hundred at Braborne, against his favourite side Mumbai Indians. The right-handed dashed struck a belligerent 103* off 60 balls, included nine fours and five sixes. 

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Mastering the ODI Format

KL Rahul has seven ODI centuries [Source: Twitter]

Rahul made instant noise in ODI cricket, registering a century on debut for India, which no batter had done, against Zimbabwe in 2016. However, with a jammed top order, Rahul found few little chances in ODIs, until the Cricket World Cup 2019, where he moved to the top order.

Rahul's ODI found a new flight as an opener with more freedom, coupled with more time in the middle. The exquisite stroke-maker continued to impress as a middle-order batter as well, all while donning the wicket-keeping responsibilities. 

Rahul's ability to adapt to any condition or situation makes him a scary prospect for the opposition, who are generally caught off-guard. As a floater, Rahul has to adapt more often than not and play as per the demands of the team, which highlights his understanding and mindset in ODIs, despite knowing how to score quick runs. 

He showed his batting prowess in the World Cup 2023, batting at number 5. KL Rahul scored 452 runs, which included a match-winning 97* against Australia.