The historic Lord’s Cricket Floor in London as soon as once more grew to become the stage for a gripping contest as England and India squared off in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy . With the sequence tantalizingly poised at 1-1, each groups entered the long-lasting venue with every little thing to play for. The highlight, nonetheless, shone brightest on KL Rahul, whose elegant century on Day 3 not solely anchored India’s innings but in addition etched his title into the annals of Indian cricket historical past as probably the most prolific openers in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) nations.
KL Rahul’s combating knock on Day 3 of the Lord’s Take a look at
Rahul’s innings at Lord’s was a masterclass in endurance, method, and temperament. Resuming Day 3 unbeaten on 53, Rahul methodically constructed his innings, weathering the English tempo battery and capitalizing on scoring alternatives. He reached his hundred in 176 balls, his knock laced with 13 crisp boundaries. The milestone got here with a single off Jofra Archer simply after lunch, making him solely the second Indian after Dilip Vengsarkar to attain a number of Take a look at centuries on the hallowed floor.
Rahul’s innings was a mix of classical drives and deft flicks, highlighted by a backfoot punch off Brydon Carse that drew applause from the Lord’s crowd. Sadly, his keep ended at precisely 100, falling to a unfastened drive off Shoaib Bashir, however not earlier than he had steered India to a powerful place at 316 for 5. This was Rahul’s second century at Lord’s—his first got here in 2021—and his fifth as an opener in SENA nations, cementing his status as one in all India’s most interesting vacationers.
Prime 5 Indian openers with most centuries in SENA nations
1. Sunil Gavaskar
Centuries in SENA: 8
Innings performed in SENA: 57
Sunil Gavaskar stands alone on the high, unmatched in each centuries and consistency throughout SENA nations. He scored 5 centuries in Australia, two in England, and one in New Zealand, by no means having performed a Take a look at in South Africa. Gavaskar’s method and temperament allowed him to beat the world’s hardest circumstances, making him the benchmark for all Indian openers overseas.
2. KL Rahul
Centuries in SENA: 6
Innings performed in SENA: 45
Rahul is India’s most prolific SENA opener of the present period. He has now 4 centuries in England, one in Australia, and one in South Africa. Rahul’s skill to adapt to assorted circumstances is mirrored in his six centuries from simply 23 Checks as an opener in SENA nations, giving him a superior centuries-per-match ratio in comparison with his friends with the identical variety of centuries.
Additionally WATCH: Jofra Archer hurls his quickest over as every delivery breaches 90 MPH mark on Day 3 of Lord’s Test
3. Vinoo Mankad
Centuries in SENA: 3
Innings performed in SENA: 17
Vinoo Mankad was India’s unique abroad specialist amongst openers. He scored two centuries in Australia and one in England, reaching his three SENA tons in simply 17 innings—fewer than Sehwag and Shastri—thus rating increased amongst these tied on centuries.
4. Ravi Shastri
Centuries in SENA: 3
Innings performed in SENA: 18
Ravi Shastri’s three centuries (two in England, one in Australia) got here in 18 matches as an opener in SENA nations. This locations him between Mankad and Sehwag within the rating, as he achieved his three centuries in fewer matches than Sehwag however greater than Mankad.
5. Virender Sehwag
Centuries in SENA: 3
Innings performed in SENA: 49
Virender Sehwag’s attacking fashion introduced a brand new dimension to Indian opening batting. He scored two centuries in Australia and one in England as an opener. Among the many trio with three centuries, Sehwag performed essentially the most matches, which locations him under Mankad and Shastri on this particular rating.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND: Fans go berserk as KL Rahul hits a gritty century on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test
