KL Rahul marked a powerful return to red-ball cricket with a sublime century for India A against the England Lions in the second unofficial Test. His 116-run knock on Day 1 helped the visitors post a strong total, crossing the 300-run mark and putting India A in a commanding position.
This innings could very well cement Rahul’s place in India’s playing XI for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, 2025. Following his brilliant ton, Rahul’s childhood coach, Samuel Jayaraj, offered insight into the batter’s mental resilience and maturity, especially after being excluded from India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad.
“KL Rahul Was Always Ready,” Says Coach
Speaking to The Times of India, Jayaraj said, “As a coach, this isn’t surprising. He was always ready. He’s technically sound and mentally tough. He didn’t crib or get frustrated when not picked for the T20 World Cup despite a great ODI World Cup. That’s because he has seen setbacks since childhood.”
Jayaraj praised Rahul’s ability to rotate strike intelligently and highlighted his versatility as both a batter and wicketkeeper. “If you saw his performance in the Champions Trophy, his role was defined, and he executed it perfectly. That shows his discipline.”
Calm, Composed, and in Control
Rahul’s knock of 116 displayed a calmness and composure that, according to his coach, reflects a more evolved cricketer. “He’s matured a lot. He’s been playing high-level cricket for over a decade. Now, you’ll see a completely different KL — more composed and in control.”
Jayaraj also shared a personal message he often gives Rahul: “I always tell him — enjoy and become. If you’re not happy, your body won’t respond the way you want. I believe in England, you’ll see a matured KL Rahul.”
From Setback to Comeback
Rahul’s resurgence comes after a tough phase — he was left without a central contract, left out of T20 and Test squads, and released by Kolkata Knight Riders despite leading them to the 2024 IPL title. Yet, his strong domestic performances and recent India A century signal a potential comeback into the Test side.
India Squad for England Test Series 2025
India’s squad for the England Tests includes:
Shubman Gill (C)
Rishabh Pant (VC & WK)
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy
Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from the Test format, KL Rahul is expected to shoulder more responsibility in the team’s middle-order. His current form and temperament suggest that he’s ready for the challenge.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Todaysmatchprediction on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
