Veteran Opener KL Rahul Shines in Absence of Kohli and Sharma

As of August 5th, 2025, former Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra has praised KL Rahul for his impressive performance in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England. The five-match series ended in a 2-2 draw, with Rahul emerging as the standout performer for the visitors.

Nehra noted that Rahul, being the most experienced batter in the Indian lineup, played a crucial role in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who had retired from the team. Rahul amassed 532 runs at an average of 53.20 in his 10 innings during the series, showcasing his maturity and ability to shoulder the responsibility.

Another former Indian pacer, RP Singh, also praised Rahul's selective strokeplay and his efforts to guide his batting partners, except for Rishabh Pant. Singh observed that Rahul's approach of playing close to his body and only driving the fuller-length deliveries paid dividends, as he struck two centuries and as many half-centuries in the series.

The article highlights that Rahul's performance was a bright spot for the Indian team, which had to navigate the challenging English conditions without the services of their star players Kohli and Sharma. Nehra and Singh's positive assessments of Rahul's leadership and adaptability in the series suggest that the veteran opener has cemented his place in the team and will be a crucial asset for India going forward.