London, July 12, 2025 – The 3rd Rothesay Test Match at Lord’s saw KL Rahul score his 10th Test century today, a gritty effort off 177 deliveries with 13 fours. The Indian opener’s knock ended abruptly when he was dismissed on the next ball, caught by Harry Brook off Shoaib Bashir, just before lunch. Despite this, Rahul’s performance has kept India in the fight, trailing England by 242 runs after reaching 254 for 5 in 67.1 overs.
Rahul’s century marks his second at Lord’s, a rare feat for an Indian opener. Unlike legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, who have no centuries here, Rahul’s skill stands out. His patient style, shaped by coach Rahul Dravid, mirrors Dravid’s technique, as noted in a 2025 Cricbuzz profile. This approach has been key in tough overseas conditions, giving India a base to build on.
Earlier, India faced a setback with Rishabh Pant’s dismissal. Pant, who scored 74 off 112 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes, was run out in a dramatic mix-up with Rahul on the last ball before lunch. A brilliant throw from Ben Stokes ended the 141-run partnership, leaving India at 248 for 4. This loss hurt, but Rahul’s effort kept the innings alive until his own exit.
Shubman Gill also fell, out for 16 runs off 44 balls, caught by Jamie Smith off Chris Woakes, leaving India at 107 for 3 after 33.1 overs. The game has moved slowly, with only 75 overs bowled on the first day due to lost time. The pitch favors England’s bowlers, led by Bashir, whose wicket of Rahul shifted momentum.
Bashir’s wicket of Rahul was a turning point, and England will push hard now. Their earlier batting set a strong total, while India’s bowlers have struggled to match that impact. With Rahul gone, India needs a solid partnership from Jadeja and Reddy to stay in the game. The match is still wide open, and the next session will be crucial as both teams battle for control on this tricky pitch.
