Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif took a brutal dig at KL Rahul's critics after the batter smashed his 11th Test century during the first Test match against the West Indies at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The veteran wicketkeeper batter faced a lot of criticism in 2023 after a forgettable outing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
Mohammad Kaif hails KL Rahul
Kaif, who was part of India's 2002 Champions Trophy-winning squad, lauded KL Rahul after he scored a century against West Indies, saying that the Karnataka batter's strength is his belief and hard work.
"How opinions change after scoring in few innings.. Now his critics say there is no one like him. Remember: KL Rahul strength is his belief and hard work. That's what makes him rise after every fall and perform despite the pressure," Mohammad Kaif wrote on 'X'.
KL Rahul's Test centuries
Notably, this is KL Rahul's second Test century in India; his last ton on home soil came in 2016 against England, where he smashed 199 runs. Nine of his 11 tons have come outside India. KL Rahul's last Test century also came against England at the iconic Lord's Stadium in London during the third Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
| RUNS | BALLS | 4/6s | INNINGS | AGAINST | VENUE | DATE |
| 110 | 262 | 13/1 | 2nd | Australia | Sydney | January 2015 |
| 108 | 190 | 13/1 | 2nd | Sri Lanka | Colombo | August 2015 |
| 158 | 303 | 15/3 | 2nd | West Indies | Kingston | July-August 2016 |
| 199 | 311 | 16/3 | 2nd | England | Chennai | December 2016 |
| 149 | 224 | 20/1 | 4th | England | The Oval | September 2018 |
| 129 | 250 | 12/1 | 1st | England | Lord’s | August 2021 |
| 123 | 260 | 17/1 | 1st | South Africa | Centurion | December 2021 |
| 101 | 137 | 14/4 | 1st | South Africa | Centurion | December 2023 |
| 137 | 247 | 18/0 | 3rd | England | Leeds | June 2025 |
| 100 | 177 | 13/0 | 2nd | England | Lord’s | July 2025 |
| 100 | 197 | 12/0 | 1st | West Indies | Ahmedabad | October 2025 |
India vs West Indies 1st Test Day 2
Coming back to Day 2 of the 1st Test against West Indies, hosts India flexed a solid batting show to reach 326 for four at tea. Dhruv Jurel (68) and Ravindra Jadeja (50) were at the crease at the break as India led the visitors by 164 runs after KL Rahul's century.
India, starting the day on 121/2, lost the wicket of skipper Shubman Gill (50) during the opening session, while Rahul was dismissed right after the lunch break.
The hosts had dismissed West Indies for 162 on day one.