KL Rahul once again etched his name into cricketing history on Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord's, scoring his 10th Test century and marking a significant milestone for Indian cricket at the iconic venue. On July 12, 2025, Rahul became the first Indian in nearly three decades to score multiple Test hundreds at Lord's, joining the legendary Dilip Vengsarkar as the only Indians to achieve this feat.
Rahul reached his century off 176 balls, beautifully crafted with 13 fours, before being dismissed for exactly 100 runs on the very next delivery by England spinner Shoaib Bashir. This innings was a testament to Rahul's resilience and skill, especially considering the challenging conditions and the pressure of following up on his previous century at Lord's, where he scored a commanding 129 runs in 2021 during India's memorable 151-run victory.
This century marked Rahul's 10th in Test cricket, and notably his ninth scored outside India. His international centuries span multiple countries, including four in England, two in South Africa, and one each in Australia, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. Such a record highlights Rahul's adaptability and consistency across diverse playing conditions.
The significance of Rahul's accomplishment at Lord's is further amplified by the historical context. Dilip Vengsarkar, who remains the only other Indian with multiple centuries at Lord's, scored three during his illustrious career: 103 in 1979, 157 in 1982, and an unbeaten 102 in 1986. Rahul's feat is the first by an Indian in 43 years, underscoring the rarity and prestige of this achievement.
Not only did Rahul join Vengsarkar in this elite club, but he also became the first Asian opener to score two Test centuries at Lord's. This puts him alongside other distinguished visiting openers such as Bill Brown, Graeme Smith, and Gordon Greenidge, all of whom have two centuries at the venue.
The innings itself was a display of patience and determination. After England posted a formidable first innings total of 387, Rahul took guard to open the innings for India. While wickets fell at the other end, Rahul remained a constant presence, anchoring the innings with a steady hand.
Early wickets included Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was dismissed by Jofra Archer for 13 runs in the third over, signaling a fiery start from the English pacer on his comeback Test. Karun Nair then joined Rahul, and the pair put together a crucial 61-run partnership off 113 balls. Nair narrowly missed out on a half-century, falling for 40 runs to a sensational catch by Joe Root at first slip off England captain Ben Stokes.
Following Nair's dismissal, in-form Indian captain Shubman Gill came to the crease but was soon dismissed by Chris Woakes after scoring just 16 runs. At this point, Rahul was the lone warrior at the crease, holding firm while wickets tumbled around him.
Rishabh Pant then joined Rahul, and together they forged a vital 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket, stabilizing the Indian innings. Pant, despite managing an injury sustained while keeping wickets earlier in the day, played a gritty knock of 74 runs off 112 balls. However, a miscommunication between the two batsmen led to Pant’s unfortunate run-out just before lunch, courtesy of a direct hit from Ben Stokes. Rahul had just reached 98 runs when Pant's dismissal occurred, a moment that momentarily disrupted India’s momentum.
Rahul's innings was characterized by his ability to weather the storm and keep the scoreboard ticking amidst the fall of wickets at the other end. His half-century came in 97 balls towards the end of Day 3, and he was a pillar of stability as India navigated a tricky phase of the innings.
Despite Pant’s dismissal and the pressure from the English bowlers, Rahul continued to bat with poise until his eventual dismissal by Shoaib Bashir. His departure came via a catch to Harry Brook at first slip, ending a resilient innings that showcased his class and temperament.
Rahul’s performance was not just about personal milestones but also about providing India with a solid platform in the match. His ability to hold one end firmly allowed his teammates to build partnerships and gave India a fighting chance in the Test.
Rahul’s journey at Lord’s has been one of steady ascent, with his previous century in 2021 playing a significant role in India’s historic win at the venue. His recent century reaffirms his status as one of the premier Test batsmen in the world and highlights his special affinity with the ‘Home of Cricket’.
In summary, KL Rahul’s second Test century at Lord’s on July 12, 2025, stands as a landmark achievement for Indian cricket. By joining Dilip Vengsarkar in this exclusive club, Rahul has not only cemented his legacy but also inspired a new generation of cricketers aiming to make their mark on the grand stage of Test cricket at Lord’s.
