India, June 28 -- Almost out of the blue, KL Rahul has graduated from being simply a highly-talented role-player in India's teams across formats to one of its senior statesmen, a leader of the batting attack with seniority now attached to his position and his expectations. At 32 years old and with his long-time teammates Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket, the versatile and capable Rahul continues to adapt to what his team needs from him most.

In 2025, he seems to have flicked a switch: now almost guaranteed to start Test matches as an opener, he began the tour of England with two fine innings, including a stylish century in the second innings in Leeds. In the ODI unit, Rahul was used as India's number six, and showe...