Continuing his remarkable record in challenging SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions, Rahul crafted his third Test hundred on English soil — and sixth overall in SENA — to put India firmly in control of the opening Test. His 195-run partnership with Rishabh Pant pushed India’s second innings lead to 370, setting England a daunting 371-run target. Reflecting on his form after the day’s play, Rahul told Sky Sports that he no longer obsesses over numbers or milestones. “I am just getting runs now. There was a time when I would get starts but not convert them into big scores, especially in Tests. I am much calmer in my head and not chasing numbers anymore. I just want to enjoy my cricket as much as I can,” he said. He also credited former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar for playing a key role in reviving his approach. “I have spent a lot of time with him in the last 15-18 months. I went back to basics. Earlier, I focused too much on quality over quantity and did not spend enough time hitting balls. Now, I enjoy spending long hours in the nets,” Rahul added.
Rahul’s purple patch extends across formats. He starred as India’s dependable No.5 during the 2023 ODI World Cup, amassing 452 runs, including India’s fastest World Cup ton — a 62-ball century against the Netherlands. Post-World Cup, he embraced the finisher’s role, delivering crucial runs during India’s ICC Champions Trophy triumph, where he averaged a staggering 140 in four innings. In the IPL too, Rahul rediscovered his aggressive best, scoring 539 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150, his best since 2018 while opening and batting in the top order for Delhi Capitals. After a stint as a middle-order bat, Rahul has returned to his preferred Test opening slot with renewed consistency. Since the Australia tour, he has scored 431 runs in five Tests at an average nearing 48, including this latest Leeds masterclass.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Despite a career Test average of 34.70, Rahul says he no longer lets statistics cloud his focus. “Of course, it hurts when I look at my average. But at this stage, I don’t want to think about numbers. I want to make an impact whenever I get a chance and enjoy playing Test cricket for India and it’s what I grew up loving,” he said. Looking ahead to the final day, Rahul expects a gripping contest as India defends a stiff target. “When the match started, it looked like a batting paradise and I thought it would be a draw. But now, there’s enough wear and tear and the cracks are opening up. It’s a perfect day-five wicket and it’s going to be a blockbuster,” he said. At stumps on day four, England were 21 for no loss, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett navigating six tricky overs without a hiccup. The pair added quick runs to keep the chase alive, leaving the hosts needing 350 more for what would be a record chase at Headingley. Earlier, India’s lower order once again faltered, collapsing from 349/6 to 364 all out in under five overs, with only Ravindra Jadeja and the tail adding quick runs at the end. The top five, however, were outstanding — racking up five centuries between them and scoring 721 of India’s total runs in the Test. With Pant’s twin centuries and Rahul’s controlled ton, India hold the advantage heading into what promises to be a riveting final day at Leeds.
