Is KL Rahul the Key Link Between Retired Seniors and Youngsters in the Team?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- KL Rahul is emerging as a key player in the Indian Test team.
- His role bridges the gap between experienced and young players.
- Pathan believes Rahul will excel in his responsibilities.
- India's batting lineup showcased strong performances.
- Rahul's experience is vital for future challenges.
New Delhi, June 23 (NationPress) Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has praised opener KL Rahul, stating that he serves as a vital link between the recently retired players and the team's younger members. Pathan's comments followed shortly after the right-handed batsman achieved his half-century during India's second innings on Monday. Although Rahul fell short of a half-century in the first innings, scoring 42, he displayed excellent form and rhythm in the second innings, marking his 18th Test fifty off 87 balls on Day Four at Headingley.
With the departures of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Rahul has emerged as one of the most experienced batters in the current Indian squad, boasting over 50 Test caps.
Pathan emphasized Rahul's experience and maturity, believing that the 33-year-old is a crucial member of the Indian Test team and is poised to thrive in this new role.
"K.L. Rahul is the bridge between seniors who have retired and the youngsters on the team. He is now a pivotal figure in Test cricket and will excel in this responsibility. His batting has been brilliant so far; he needs to capitalize on it," Pathan posted on X.
As for the match, captain Shubman Gill achieved a career-best score of 147, while Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) and Rishabh Pant (134) also made centuries, leading India to a first-innings total of 471.
In response, Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets, reducing England to 465 in their first innings.
On Day 4, India lost Gill (8) early in the first session, with Brydon Carse delivering the first breakthrough of the day for England. The Indian captain added merely two runs to his overnight score. Currently, Rahul and Rishabh Pant are tasked with extending India's lead to challenge the hosts.
Rahul has put India in a solid position with a score of 153/3, while he remains at the crease on 72.