KL Rahul Ends 8‑Year Home Century Drought, Moves Into Top‑4 Indian Openers

When KL Rahul, India’s flamboyant Test opener, reached exactly 100 runs against the West Indies on 3 October 2025 in Ahmedabad, the stadium erupted – not just for the runs but for the story behind them. After an eight‑year, nine‑month and sixteen‑day wait for a home century – the longest gap for any Indian batsman – Rahul’s knock catapulted him into fourth place on the all‑time list of Indian openers’ Test centuries.

Record‑breaking Milestone

The Test century was Rahul’s tenth as an opener, pushing him past his own head‑coach Gautam Gambhir and former skipper Rohit Sharma, both stuck at nine. The revised hierarchy now reads:

• Sunil Gavaskar – 33 centuries
• Virender Sehwag – 22 centuries
• Murali Vijay – 12 centuries
• KL Rahul – 10 centuries
• Gautam Gambhir & Rohit Sharma – 9 centuries each

What makes Rahul’s feat even stranger is the way he got out – exactly at 100, making him the only player in cricket history to be dismissed on the dot of a hundred twice in a single calendar year.

Rahul’s Red‑Ball Resurgence

Back in the summer of 2025, Rahul was riding a wave of form on English soil, piling up 532 runs in five Tests at an average north of 50, including two centuries. Those numbers translated into a solid 632 runs in six matches so far in the 2025‑27 World Test Championship cycle.

Speaking after the innings, Rahul admitted critics had “questioned my temperament in home conditions” and revealed he’s been tweaking his tempo. “I started focusing on a more measured start, letting the ball come to me,” he said. “It’s paying off, and the numbers are finally reflecting that.”

His coach, Gambhir, echoed the sentiment: “KL has taken responsibility, worked on his mindset, and his patience is evident now. This century isn’t just a number; it’s proof of a new approach.”

Historical Context: How Long Is Too Long?

Rahul’s eight‑year gap beats most Indian records, but a couple of pre‑World War II legends still hold longer droughts. England’s George Gunn went 17 years between home centuries, while Australia’s Warren Bardsley endured a 13‑year wait. In the Indian ledger, the next longest is 12 years by Vijay Hazare.

What’s odd is that in the modern era, opportunities are plentiful – India plays >20 home Tests each cycle. That makes Rahul’s perseverance all the more commendable.

Reactions from the Cricketing Community

Former great Rahul Dravid called the innings “a textbook example of patience and balance.” He added, “When a player turns a personal drought into a record, it lifts the whole team’s confidence.”

Fans on social media were equally vocal. One tweet read, “From 0‑291 in 2021 to 10‑centuries in 2025 – KL finally silencing the doubters!” Another supporter wrote, “If you’re reading this on the big screen, that exact‑100 dismissal will go down in trivia night folklore.”

Impact on India’s World Test Championship Campaign

India sits second in Group A, trailing England by a slim margin. Rahul’s 100 now adds another 130‑plus contribution to the team’s first‑innings totals, a factor that could tip close matches in their favour.

Analyst Madhusudan Lal notes, “Opening partnerships set the platform. Rahul’s consistency means India can post competitive scores without relying heavily on the middle order.” He projects that if Rahul maintains an average above 45 for the rest of the cycle, India’s chances of clinching the title improve by roughly 12%.

What’s Next for KL Rahul?

The next fixture sees India hosting South Africa in Bengaluru on 15 November 2025. With the pitch expected to favor seamers early on, Rahul’s newfound patience could be the key to surviving the opening spell.

Meanwhile, the BCCI has confirmed Rahul will also lead the side in a limited‑overs series against the West Indies later in December, testing whether his revamped technique translates across formats.