Former India coach says KL Rahul’s century is just the beginning, not the benchmark

Former India coach believes KL Rahul’s recent hundred against West Indies is a positive sign but insists the batter must aim for greater consistency and hunger to succeed in tougher challenges ahead.

KL Rahul (Image | BCCI on X)

After KL Rahul struck a fluent century against the West Indies in the ongoing series, Indian fans celebrated what appeared to be a long-overdue return to form. However, a former India coach has cautioned against over-celebrating too soon, suggesting that Rahul’s journey toward becoming a consistent match-winner is far from complete.

The ex-coach, while praising Rahul’s elegant strokeplay and composure, pointed out that the right-hander still has a long way to go before silencing his critics. The coach added that Rahul’s hunger for runs must continue to drive him, especially with major overseas tours coming up. The message was clear, while Rahul’s technique and talent have never been questioned, his ability to sustain performance across formats remains the true test of his character and growth.

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"Not technique, thought process. He plays the IPL from there. So he knows those conditions well. He scored more than 500 runs in the IPL. He knows how to score runs in Delhi at the Ferozshah Kotla (Arun Jaitley Stadium). However, I believe the biggest change is in the approach. He would want to convert that approach into bigger runs," Abhishek Nayar said on Star Sports.

KL Rahul’s next challenge lies in consistency

KL Rahul’s ton against West Indies may have lifted his confidence, but as the coach explained, true success lies in repetition. With the upcoming Australia tour on the horizon, Rahul’s adaptability will be under scrutiny. He’s likely to face fierce pace and bouncy pitches that demand both patience and shot selection. The former coach also mentioned that Rahul’s hunger and body language suggest he’s aware of this next step, to convert his potential into match-winning consistency.

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The century, while important, is not the destination but a checkpoint. The coach’s words underline a valuable truth about Rahul’s career: he has all the tools, but now must use them to build something lasting, a record of dependability for India across all conditions.

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