“It hurts when I see my average”: KL Rahul

KL Rahul’s Test career has always been a puzzle. He has had moments of brilliance scattered between long periods of underachievement. He’s been rock-solid sometimes, but even Rahul knows that his talent hasn’t always translated onto the field.

But on Sunday in Leeds, Rahul yet again proved why he remains one of India’s most gifted red-ball batters in overseas conditions. With a fluent 137 in the third innings, he not only helped stretch India’s lead to a formidable 370 but also reminded fans of his ability to deliver when it matters most.

KL Rahul’s candid admission

This was his third Test hundred in England, sixth overall in SENA countries, and yet, his Test average still lingers below 35. Rahul is aware of it and candid about the frustration it brings. “Of course, it hurts when I look at my average,” he told Sky Sports after the day’s play. “But at this stage, I don’t want to think about numbers. I want to make an impact whenever I get a chance and enjoy playing Test cricket for India.”

However, with time, KL Rahul has grown as a player. There’s a quiet shift in Rahul’s approach with added maturity, less fixation on milestones. “I am just getting runs now. There was a time when I would get starts but not convert them into big scores, especially in Tests. I am much calmer in my head and not chasing numbers anymore. I just want to enjoy my cricket as much as I can,” he said.

“Having learned this from the seniors that I looked up to, it’s something that I’ve understood and try and do, not just in Test cricket, but in cricket overall. Just all you can do is your best in terms of preparation and giving yourself the best chance to succeed. But again, there’s no guarantees. When you have a good day, you are happy. When you have a bad day, you’re still happy that you had the opportunity. That’s how I look at the game.”

Rahul’s career has been marked by starts that didn’t turn into substance. Before this Test, he averaged 33.57 despite eight centuries, five of them away from home. That disconnect between flashes of brilliance and long-term consistency has been a source of frustration even for him. At the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, KL Rahul looked India’s most compact batter, but still lagged behind in terms of run scoring. At the end of the series, though, his average read 30.66. It left him bitterly disappointed.

“The Australia tour hurt,” he admitted, referring to his scores of 26, 77, and 84 without a century. “I got starts in every game, felt good, but couldn’t convert. It taught me to value every opportunity and make it count.” The Leeds innings, however, was a product of that mindset shift. There was fluency, yes — but also application. He left well early, attacked when needed, and absorbed pressure in tricky phases, especially when he lost Jaiswal and Gill early on.

India finished day four in charge, with England 21/0 and chasing a record 371. Thanks to Pant’s twin tons and Rahul’s grit, the visitors hold all the cards.

KL Rahul Test stats