Top five highest scores by KL Rahul in Test cricket

Indian test team batter KL Rahul had a difficult start to test cricket after being dismissed for two single-figure scores at the MCG in 2014 after facing a fierce Australian attack. However, his talent, class, and temperament came to the fore immediately as he scored his first century in his second test match, against the same strong Australian attack at the SCG.

Rahul's test career got off to an incredible start as he averaged 44 and amassed four hundreds and ten fifties in his first 21 matches. However, from thereon, Rahul has had a wild ride.

Despite his centuries in South Africa and England, the right-hander struggled and was benched twice since 2018. Nevertheless, he was able to return. A player of his talent wasn’t to be benched by India and in 2023, he was moved from opening to middle-order.

On that note, let’s delve into the top five highest scores by KL Rahul in Test cricket

5. 123 vs South Africa, 2023

KL Rahul’s 123 against South Africa in the Centurion Test match in 2023 is one of the best knocks by an Indian batter in Test cricket. Rahul was the only batsman to reach a century in the match's four innings; he was so gritted that he stood at the crease for 260 balls on a dangerous pitch.

India amassed 327 in their opening innings courtesy of Rahul’s terrific century before dismissing South Africa for 197. India then set the hosts a target of 305, which they fell short by 114 runs.

4. 129 vs England, 2021

Rahul gave an excellent demonstration of leaving the deliveries outside the off-stump during the India vs England Lord's test of the 2021 series. He left most of the pacers' deliveries outside his body while scoring 129 runs in 250 balls.

Rahul’s 129 and Rohit Sharma’s 83 helped India to a first innings total of 364. The hosts lost the match by 151 runs after being bundled out for 120 runs in the chase of 272, despite England taking a slim 27-run lead in the first innings. Rahul earned the title of Man of the Match, as expected.

3. 149 vs England, 2018

Another of Rahul’s astounding centuries is his 149 against England at The Oval in 2018. The fact that it was made in the fourth innings and on day 5 of the match makes it a truly incredible knock.

India was given a 464-run target. Rahul (149) and Rishabh Pant (114) offered some hope, even though the chase was never on. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 345 but Rahul’s knock saved his place in the side.

2. 158 vs West Indies, 2016

KL Rahul reached 150 for the first time in his test career in Kingston during the second test of India's 2016 tour of the West Indies.

In reply to West Indies’ 196, India finished with 500, courtesy of 158 from Rahul and 108 from Ajinkya Rahane. However, West Indies managed to save the Test match as it ended in a draw.

1. 199 vs England, 2016

In 2016, KL Rahul scored 199, his highest score in Test cricket, against England in Chennai. While this test is remembered for Karun Nair’s triple century, it was Rahul who laid the platform for Nair by scoring 199 runs in 311 balls that tired the English bowlers.

India won the test by an innings and 75 runs after surpassing the 700-run threshold and dismissing England for 207 runs in response to their 477.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official