NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif hailed KL Rahul’s remarkable century against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, praising his resilience and consistency after years of battling criticism and injuries.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Rahul, who scored his first home century since 2016 and only his second in India, crafted a gritty 100 off 197 balls with 12 boundaries. The knock placed him in an elite group of Indian openers — joining Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay — with 10 or more Test centuries.
Kaif took to X to celebrate the achievement and fire a subtle shot at critics who have often questioned Rahul’s place in the team. “How opinions change after scoring in few innings.. Now his critics say there is no one like him. Remember: KL Rahul’s strength is his belief and hard work. That’s what makes him rise after every fall and perform despite the pressure,” Kaif wrote.
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The post struck a chord among fans, highlighting Rahul’s long journey back to form. His last Test century at home came in December 2016 against England in Chennai, a gap of 3,211 days — the longest wait between two home Test hundreds for any Indian batter.
Rahul’s revival has been one of the biggest positives for India this year. With 649 runs in seven matches at an average of 54.08, including three centuries, he has been India’s most dependable opener across conditions. His standout series came in England earlier this year, where he amassed 532 runs in 10 innings at an average of 53.20.Kaif’s tribute sums up Rahul’s journey perfectly: belief and hard work remain his greatest weapons, ensuring that every comeback is stronger than the fall.
