Rahul slammed a century in the first Test against England at Headingley.
Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Hemang Badani heaped praise on KL Rahul, emphasizing his commitment to join the Indian team in England despite embracing fatherhood recently.
Rahul, who is the senior-most batter in the current Test team after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement, came to UK before the rest of the squad and played a four-day match for India A against England Lions to be ready for the red-ball challenge after the IPL 2025.
The right-hander lived up to the expectations in the series opener at Headingley. Rahul, who opened the innings for India, got off to a strong start in the first innings, but failed to capitalise, departing for 42 runs. However, he made his start count in the second essay by slamming a stunning hundred (137).
Badani was impressed with Rahul's determination, noting that despite becoming a father in March, he decided against taking a break. Instead, he played the full IPL season for DC and then headed straight to England for national assignment.
"I really liked the fact that he was someone who said, ‘I want to go to England early. I want to play the side game.’ Forget about the hundred he got — that came later. The intent — that’s what matters. The intent to be there early, to be prepared, to be with the side. Let’s not forget, he’s a young father, and I don’t think his child is travelling with him initially. So for him to say, ‘Country over my child’ — that’s a huge call," Badani told Times of India.
"He could’ve easily said, ‘I'm not playing the side game anyway, I’ll just go straight to the Test match.’ But he didn’t," the DC coach added.
Badani further highlighted how Rahul displayed great commitment and lived up to the role of senior batter in the transitional phase for Indian cricket.
"KL made a statement I remember ahead of the Test series: ‘I care for this team, and I want to be here.’ He wanted to go to England. I could see the hunger in his eyes and in his words. In the absence of Rohit and Virat, he becomes the senior-most batter — and he has played that role really well," Badani remarked.
India lost the first Test against England at Headingley by five wickets despite batters scoring five centuries in the match.
The visitors were unable to cross the 500-run mark even once. They also set England a mammoth target of 371, but that was chased down with some comfort on Day 5 as Indian bowlers were guilty of constantly losing their line and lengths and fielders dropped multiple catches.
The second Test is scheduled to start on July 2 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.