[WATCH] Ajinkya Rahane reflects on KL Rahul's knock during ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

KL Rahul was standing on the other end when India lost two successive wickets in the opening over just before the break on the fourth morning of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. He had nothing to do with that action as the tourists needed to bat out five sessions to save the encounter and keep the fifth game at Kennington Oval alive. 

The former Indian captain, Ajinkya Rahane, shed light on the determination and grit the Karnataka-born showed in the middle for three sessions. His knock of 90 runs was so significant that Ben Stokes had to push himself and introduce himself into the attack despite having an injured hamstring and shoulder.

See Also: Pakistan to voice against BCCI and ICC on two-tier Test system

’90 in the second innings was more special because he had to bat time. You know, India had to bat for five sessions to save the Test match. What he did shows the discipline and hunger, along with the grit, while batting at the crease. Playing that spell or playing that phase out was the most special occasion.’ Ajinkya Rahane, the former Indian captain, expressed on his YouTube channel.

Watch: Ajinkya Rahane reflects on KL Rahul’s 90 during ENG vs IND 4th Test

Even though Rahul smashed a century at Lord’s, the milestone delivery ended up being the turning point for India’s 22-run defeat. He sold his partner, Rishabh Pant, down the river while running between the wickets. The veteran has been going through a routine in his batting as if he were just switching on and off in the stand with the captain, Shubman Gill.

KL Rahul’s gritty 90 at Old Trafford was all about patience and character. Batting last in a Test is never easy.

More on India's brave fightback in the latest episode of Match Notes. pic.twitter.com/kvChZBLlXh

— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) July 29, 2025

Rahul, this time, had no obsession with the runs, let alone the landmarks. There was an incident on the fourth evening when he pushed the ball into the covers and didn’t even notice the misfield of Jofra Archer. He hit the ball and started to scratch the surface, allowing the time to flow more in the day’s play.

His 90-run knock, which could have been his third century of the series, ended after an unplayable delivery wrapped him on the pads of Stokes. By then, Rahul had faced 230 deliveries, which is more than one session of the four they needed to play to salvage the draw.