KL Rahul's Test average of 35 has puzzled many during the current England tour, with fans questioning how a player of his apparent class has such a modest record. Despite a fine start to his career, Rahul struggled for six years, averaging just 26 in 28 Tests from November 2017 to December 2023. This included a disastrous 2018 tour of England, where he made only 113 runs in eight innings before a dead-rubber century.
Rahul's struggles have been attributed to overthinking and the pressures of being a superstar in Indian cricket. He admitted in late 2023, 'I just couldn’t get out of my own head. I couldn’t leave cricket or my professional life on the field. It was such a heaviness on me.' His tendency to flatter to deceive is evident: this England tour is the first time he has made two centuries in a series, and only the second time he has managed three 50-plus scores.
Injuries and selection have also limited Rahul's opportunities. He missed a Test in Bangladesh in 2015 due to illness, while the openers who replaced him scored heavily. After being dropped for the 2019 series against South Africa, the new openers smashed five centuries in eight innings. Rahul's record in Sena countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) is notable: 48% of his Tests have been in these challenging conditions, and seven of his 10 Test hundreds have come there.
Statistically, the 2020s are the toughest decade for openers since the 1900s. In the 61 Tests Rahul has played, other Indian openers have a combined average of 37.55, only slightly better than his 35. At 33, Rahul appears more relaxed, with marriage and fatherhood helping him step back from cricket's pressures. He has also reduced his social media use, which may aid his consistency.
