NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded KL Rahul’s impressive century against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, commending his unwavering resilience and consistent performance after enduring years of scrutiny and various injuries.
Rahul, who achieved his first home century since 2016 and only his second overall in India, delivered a determined 100 runs from 197 balls, including 12 boundaries. This significant knock places him among an elite group of Indian openers – joining cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, and Murali Vijay – who have scored ten or more Test centuries.
Kaif took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate Rahul’s achievement, subtly challenging critics who had frequently questioned his place in the team. “How opinions change after scoring in a few innings.. Now his critics say there is no one like him. Remember: KL Rahul’s strength is his belief and hard work. That’s what makes him rise after every fall and perform despite the pressure,” Kaif wrote.
His post resonated deeply with fans, emphasizing Rahul’s arduous journey back to peak form. His previous Test century at home dates back to December 2016 against England in Chennai, marking a gap of 3,211 days – the longest wait between two home Test hundreds for any Indian batter.
Rahul’s resurgence has undoubtedly been one of India’s most significant positive developments this year. Accumulating 649 runs in seven matches at an average of 54.08, including three centuries, he has proven to be India’s most reliable opener across diverse playing conditions. His stellar performance in England earlier this year saw him amass 532 runs in 10 innings with an average of 53.20.
Kaif’s heartfelt tribute perfectly encapsulates Rahul’s cricketing journey: his profound belief and relentless hard work remain his strongest attributes, ensuring that each comeback is more impactful than his previous setbacks.