ENG vs IND: Should KL Rahul make a comeback to the Test team?

KL Rahul underlined his worth for the Indian side in the recently concluded warm-up match between India and the Select County XI ahead of the gruelling and pulsating five-match Test series against England. The right-hander scored a sparkling 101 off 150 deliveries and bossed over the Select County XI bowling attack.

KL Rahul scored 11 fours and a six in his knock and was at ease as he lorded over the Select County XI bowlers. And now the important question that arises is, should Rahul make a comeback into the Indian Test side against England based on his scintillating performance in the warm-up match?

Apart from looking at Rahul’s knock in the warm-up match in isolation, it is also important to understand that Rahul scored a sensational century against England the last time he took guard on England soil in September 2018. His blazing 149 in the second innings and his 204-run partnership with Rishabh Pant pushed England to the back foot in the 5th Test Match.

Also, Rahul boasts of decent numbers in Test cricket as an opener, and he should be made to open the batting in the upcoming Test series against England as well. The right-hander has opened in 54 innings for India in Test cricket and has scored close to 2000 runs at a respectable average of 36.83 in Tests.

Also, all his 5 centuries in Tests have come while opening the batting. The last time Rahul took guard for India in Tests was way back in 2019, and he surely deserves another run in the whites for his country. Rahul will be confident with his show with the willow in the warm-up match, and he deserves a return back into the Indian side in Test match cricket.

KL Rahul is not yet 30 and still has a lot of time in his hands to prove his worth. And, what better way to test a batsman’s capability than giving him a chance to prove himself in England, a place where the ball seams and swings, with two of the greatest pace bowlers of the modern era in James Anderson and Stuart Broad running in, waiting to catch batsmen off guard.

With his splendid performance with the willow in the warm-up match, Rahul has started knocking on the door for selection once again. And surely, the door should open this time, and give this magnificent batsman another chance to showcase his prowess to the world in the most demanding format of the game.