KL Rahul became just the second Indian opener after current head coach Ravi Shastri in 1990 to score a century at Lord’s. Rahul notched up his sixth Test ton in 37 Tests – an innings of immense patience, reaching his 50 off 137 balls and then powering on a century off 175 deliveries.
Even the ‘home of cricket’ Lord’s welcomed Rahul’s addition to the ‘honours board’ and tweeted a video of Indian team’s appreciation for the Karnataka opener’s knock on the opening day of second Test against England on Thursday (August 12).
Watch the video here…
A moment celebrated by his teammates and staff on the Lord's Away Dressing Room balcony #LoveLords | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/RlggKqaz38
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) August 12, 2021
Even the father of Rahul’s rumoured girlfriend and Bollywood Athiya Shetty – Suniel Shetty couldn’t stay calm and wrote this on Twitter, “100 at the Mecca of cricket! Well played baba @klrahul11”.
100 at the Mecca of cricket! Well played baba @klrahul11 pic.twitter.com/jID3GKTm7y
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) August 12, 2021
Former India batsman VVS Laxman wrote, “Missed out on a hundred in the first test , but this has been an innings of the highest class from #KLRahul. A magnificent century at #Lords , hoping he converts this into a really big one.”
Missed out on a hundred in the first test , but this has been an innings of the highest class from #KLRahul.
A magnificent century at #Lords , hoping he converts this into a really big one. pic.twitter.com/ZFdW87vDhp— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 12, 2021
While Harsha Bhogle had this to say, “A century to be proud of for #KLRahul. Loved the innings progression graphic we had showing how patient he was. First 20 took 105 balls and thereafter, he owned the crease”.
A century to be proud of for #KLRahul. Loved the innings progression graphic we had showing how patient he was. First 20 took 105 balls and thereafter, he owned the crease
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 12, 2021
Rahul in partnership with Rohit Sharma (83) became the first Indian opening pair after 1952 to post a century partnership at Lord’s. Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy were the last Indian opening pair to get a 100-run partnership in a Test match at the Home of Cricket. The duo had shared a 106-run opening stand against England in a Test match in 1952.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said this: “Perfect openers innings @klrahul11!! A joy to watch .. #ENGvsIND”.
Perfect openers innings @klrahul11 !! A joy to watch .. #ENGvsIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 12, 2021
Here are some other reactions on Twitter…
An excellent CENTURY from @klrahul11 at Lord's. Batted brilliantly throughout, survived a few nervous moments, and now has his century!
Live - https://t.co/KGM2YEualG #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/mmG5VU227K
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 12, 2021
#ENGvIND
Century for KL Rahul and engraved his name on the Lord's honours board pic.twitter.com/RIt8lKtKVP— Sudhanshu Ranjan Singh (@memegineers_) August 12, 2021
A century at the Mecca of Cricket is always special
Thank you KL Rahul for the lovely treat #ENGvIND #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #CaptainPunjab pic.twitter.com/mjLb58zvhM
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) August 12, 2021