India, June 16 -- Expectation never rested easily on KL Rahul, more so after a promising start that saw him score hundreds at Sydney, Colombo and Kingston on his first three tours in 2014-15. Indian batters aren't granted a quiet entry. And there Rahul was, setting the pulse racing with his tempered aggression and silken touch. Slipping from that high into a limbo where he was repeatedly uncertain of a place in the eleven before being passed over for captaincy, this is as challenging a terrain as it can get for a cricketer. Where does he go from here?

Rahul is 33. It may still be his destiny to be remembered as a remarkable batter with an envious record. Most batting greats find their feet in their early 20s before having to deal with do...