London – KL Rahul’s century at Lord’s has reignited debates over personal milestones vs team play after the veteran batter was criticised for allegedly prioritising his hundred before the lunch break—a decision that reportedly led to Rishabh Pant’s dismissal just before the interval.
Rahul, who has made a strong comeback as India’s opener following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, reached his second century of the series and etched his name once again on the prestigious Lord’s Honours Board. His innings helped solidify India’s control at the time, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings and allow teammates to play freely.
However, Rahul drew criticism for allegedly altering the team’s tempo to reach his personal milestone before lunch. The criticism intensified after Pant fell just before the break, shifting the game’s momentum.
🗣️ Robin Uthappa Defends Rahul: ‘Ask Why, Not Just Judge’
Former India batter Robin Uthappa weighed in on the controversy during a segment on his YouTube channel, defending Rahul and calling for greater understanding of the decision-making involved.
“Did anyone ask him why he deemed getting his 100 important before the lunch break? There must have been a reason,” Uthappa asked.
“Why was that a thought? Why was that deeply considered? If someone asked him why, we would have gotten to the bottom of this whole thing about milestones.”
Uthappa dismissed the assumption that Rahul’s motivation was purely personal and offered an alternate take rooted in match strategy.
“I reckon the communication between Rahul and Pant would have been, ‘Let’s take the attack on. If I get my 100, we come out after lunch with all the momentum. You (Pant) hold fort while I go harder and take the game away.’ That perhaps was the thought process.”
🎯 Tactical Move or Milestone Chase?
At the time of the incident, both Rahul and Pant were well-set and India had the upper hand. Uthappa suggested the decision to push for runs before lunch might have been aimed at breaking England’s rhythm and setting up an aggressive post-lunch session, rather than a pursuit of individual accolades.
“This wasn’t about milestones,” Uthappa concluded. “It was a move to break England’s resolve and take the game away completely.”