KL Rahul Breaks Nine-Year Drought with Century and Heartwarming Celebration for Daughter Evaarah
KL Rahul finally scored his first Test century at home after waiting nine years. The Indian opener reached his hundred on Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad. He took 190 balls to get there and completed the milestone in the first session on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The 32-year-old celebrated in a special way after scoring his first home Test hundred in 3,211 days. He took off his helmet, rаised his bat to thank the dressing room for their applause and then placed two fingers in his mouth, a sweet gesture believed to be a messаge for his newborn daughter, Evaarah.
Head coach Gautam Gаmbhir looked very happy, clapping along with the support staff as the crowd chanted “KL Rahul, KL Rahul,” even though the stadium wasn’t full. Before this knock, Rahul’s last Test hundred at home came in December 2016 agаinst England, in the same match where Karun Nair hit a triple century. Rahul has been in great touch lately, scoring two hundreds in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, where he finished with 532 runs at an average of over 50 in the five-match series.
EMOTIONAL CELEBRATION BY KL RAHUL...!!! 🥺❤️
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 3, 2025
- The best Test Opener Currently in Cricket. pic.twitter.com/hzxXAkzT3C
The red-soil pitch in Ahmedabad has been tough for batting as seen when West Indies were bowled out for just 162 in their first innings. India, however, showed patience and built their score steadily. Rahul stаyed calm and composed, celebrating emotionally when he finally reached his hundred. He hit 12 fours on his way to the milestone and was unbeaten on 100 at lunch, with Indiа at 218 for 3, leading by 56 runs. Earlier in the session, captain Shubman Gill made a solid fifty before fаlling to West Indies skipper Roston Chase, while Rahul looked steady and in control throughout.
Just after lunch, Rahul got out to left-arm pacer Jomel Warrican on 100. He hasn’t had many chances to play home Tests only 21 compared to 43 abroad. After 2019, it became even harder with Rohit Sharma holding the opener spot. But now, with his talent finally matching his consistency, Rahul seems ready to have a longer, steadier run in the Indian Test team.
KL Rahul’s Test Centuries (2015–2025)
| C.No | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | Sydney | 2015 |
2 | Sri Lanka | Colombo | 2015 |
3 | West Indies | Kingston | 2016 |
4 | England | Chennai | 2016 |
5 | England | The Oval | 2018 |
6 | England | Lords | 2021 |
7 | South Africa | Centurion | 2021 |
8 | South Africa | Centurion | 2023 |
9 | England | Leeds | 2025 |
10 | England | Lord's | 2025 |
11 | West Indies | Ahmedabad | 2025* |
Most Test Centuries by an Indian Opener
Rank | Player | Test 100s |
|---|---|---|
1 | Sunil Gavaskar | 33 |
2 | Virender Sehwag | 22 |
3 | Murali Vijay | 12 |
4 | KL Rahul* | 10 |
5 | Rohit Sharma | 9 |
6 | Gautam Gambhir | 9 |
