KL Rahul is the senior-most batter in the Indian ranks for the upcoming England series after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket. For the 33-year-old, it is a chance to fill big shoes, while taking on the onus of delivering and guiding a cohort of relatively young Indian players - led by 32-Test-old Shubman Gill - through a tricky transition phase.

In the last couple of months, he has transformed himself into a solid T20 batter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), after enduring criticism for being a slow player lacking intent. Rahul improved his strike rate to 149.72 and piled on 539 runs in 13 matches - his best since 2018.

In the two weeks since IPL 2025 concluded, Rahul has faced another challenge. He needs to prove himself again. This time, however, it is a chance for him to express himself, instead of being worried about cementing his place in the team.

Rahul has significant experience playing in England. He has scored centuries at two highly regarded venues - The Oval and Lord's. It is quite a stupendous feat. Kohli, who played 17 Tests in England, also managed two centuries. Rahul now has a chance to elevate himself to the highest pedestal in a series where scoring runs is considered the gold standard in world cricket, given how tricky is the conditions in England, where pitches change character with the evolving weather throughout the day. Adjustment is key, and game-reading ability holds the key.

With India heading to Headingley for the first Test, starting June 20, the team management will look to Rahul to guide the juniors as an experienced batter. Rahul knows the expectations are high. Hence, he managed his preparations well. He flew to England on his own and turned up for India A against England to give himself much-needed match practice against the Dukes ball. He slammed a well-tuned 116 off 168 balls under overcast conditions while opening the innings against a bowling attack that featured England's pace spearheads Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue. It was difficult to differentiate the pitch from the lush green outfield. Rahul showed his temperament while also ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. His innings was studded with 15 fours and a six.

Adapting to English conditions after two months of batting on flat wickets, Rahul took four overs to settle down before unleashing himself. He played late and close to his body, demonstrating astute judgment in letting a vast majority of deliveries outside off-stump pass through to the wicketkeeper. There was hardly any improvised shot that he played before nicking a delivery from George Hill to second slip in the 62nd over of the innings.

His handling of Woakes and rookie Tongue was quite satisfactory, and that will give him confidence ahead of the first Test. Even Woakes was all praise for the Indian batter. “Rahul played really well. It was a very good hundred on a wicket that did a bit all day,” Woakes said at the end of the first day’s play.

However, as he enters a different phase of his career - where he will be under the spotlight unlike his previous 58 Tests, in which he was in and out and averaged only 33.57 - Rahul, perhaps the most technically sound batter in the Indian squad, needs to amp up his game when the first Test gets underway.

He has the ability to dig in for long periods and grind down bowling attacks in hostile conditions. Given India’s preference to use him as an opener in the unofficial Test, he is likely to begin the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test. The longer he stays at the crease, the better India’s chances of piling on a big score.

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