KL Rahul ended his nine-year wait for a home Test century on Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Opening the innings, he reached 100 off 199 balls with 12 fours as fans cheered his long-awaited milestone.
Rahul Breaks Longest Gap Record
Rahul’s last home century came in December 2016 against England at Chepauk where he scored 199. The 3211-day gap between his two home tons is now the longest by an Indian batter, surpassing Ravichandran Ashwin’s record of 2655 days.
Partnerships that Set the Tone
In this innings, Rahul added 68 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal and 98 runs with captain Shubman Gill. Their partnerships gave India a strong start in the first innings and showed Rahul’s ability to guide the top order with stability.
Rahul’s Recent Form
This century is Rahul’s 11th in Tests and his third in 2025. Since the England tour, his batting average has improved. He now looks more assured at the crease and continues to show responsibility as one of India’s senior batters.
Balance of Patience and Aggression
Rahul combined patience with controlled aggression. He anchored the innings while allowing partners like Jaiswal and Gill to play freely. His approach underlined his growth into a reliable opener who can handle long innings.
Rahul in WTC Rankings
With this ton, Rahul now has six WTC hundreds, equalling Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. He stands behind Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who both have nine. His performance strengthens India’s position in the championship.
Rahul Among Top Run Scorers of 2025
Rahul has scored 649 Test runs this year, second only to Shubman Gill with 837. His consistency and responsibility in key matches confirm his status as one of India’s best Test openers. Fans can finally celebrate this long-awaited achievement.
