KL Rahul Reflects on Ahmedabad Test Ton: ‘A Mental Switch Made Me Feel at Home’

KL Rahul Ends 8-Year Wait for Home Test Century with Ahmedabad Masterclass.

KL Rahul has long sought a sense of belonging in home conditions, and on October 3 in Ahmedabad, he finally found it. His 11th Test hundred, only his second on Indian soil, ended an eight-year drought and restored the assurance that had eluded him for much of his career.

Rahul’s last century at home came in December 2016 against England in Chennai. The 3,211-day gap that followed is the longest between two home centuries for an Indian batter, surpassing Mohinder Amarnath’s record. On Day 2 of the Ahmedabad Test against West Indies, Rahul broke the silence with a composed hundred that steadied India after the early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan.

For Rahul, though, the knock went beyond numbers. He admitted the innings reflected a mental shift—adapting his tempo in Indian conditions rather than mirroring the approach he often used overseas. Speaking after play, he credited former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar for helping him reset following the disappointment of being dropped during the 2024 New Zealand series.

“I’ve worked hard, not so much technically but mentally—understanding the tempo I need here. That period helped me reflect on what I was doing wrong. Runs in the England series gave me confidence, and now it’s about keeping things simple, watching the ball, and making the most of chances,” Rahul told Star Sports.

Rahul’s return to form has been striking—he scored over 500 runs in the 2-2 Test series in England earlier this year, and his Ahmedabad century reinforced that resurgence. Walking in after India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj (4/40) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/42), had skittled West Indies for 162, Rahul blended control with intent. Supported by Shubman Gill and later Dhruv Jurel, he reached his hundred before falling to Jomel Warrican for exactly 100.

From there, Jurel celebrated his maiden Test century, and Ravindra Jadeja added a commanding knock in a 202-run stand, swelling India’s lead to 286 by stumps. Rahul’s innings may have ended at three figures, but it served as the launchpad for India’s dominance—and for his own reaffirmation at home.