KL Rahul Enters Record Books: Indian Opener Becomes First to Hit Three Consecutive Centuries of Exactly 100

In a remarkable display of precision at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh, KL Rahul has carved out a unique place in the 149-year history of Test cricket.

The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan at the Mullanpur venue has provided more than just a dominant display by the hosts; it has yielded a statistical anomaly that may never be replicated. KL Rahul, currently in a rich vein of form following his 593-run showing in the 2026 IPL season, has etched his name into the history books by becoming the first batter to score exactly 100 runs in three consecutive Test innings.

A Dismissal for the Ages

The milestone moment arrived on Day 1 when Rahul, playing with characteristic composure, reached his 12th Test century with a flick off Ziaur Rahman Sharifi. However, the celebration was short-lived. Just one ball after raising his bat to the crowd, Rahul attempted a crisp cover drive off a loopy delivery. The shot was destined for the boundary, but Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz intervened with a stunning catch at short cover.

While falling at the exact century mark is a source of frustration for any top-order batter, this specific dismissal effectively sealed an unprecedented "hat-trick" of identical scores. Rahul’s ability to find the 100-run mark three times in a row distinguishes him from the game's greatest figures.

Standing Above the Legends

To put the feat into perspective, Indian icons Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly were both dismissed for exactly 100 twice in their illustrious careers. While international stalwarts like Australia’s Steve Waugh and Graeme Wood reached that exact tally three times over their entire careers, neither player achieved the feat in back-to-back outings, let alone three consecutive innings. The all-time record remains held by England’s Sir Leonard Hutton, who was dismissed for exactly 100 four times in his lifetime.

A Dominant Day for India

The one-off Test has been a showcase of Indian batting prowess. Following Rahul’s departure, skipper Shubman Gill continued the momentum, registering his 11th Test century to further consolidate India’s control over the struggling visitors. The match, hosted at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh, has seen the home side capitalize on early lifelines granted by Afghanistan's fielding lapses, with the hosts looking to build a formidable first-innings total.

For Rahul, the achievement serves as a testament to his transition from white-ball success to the longest format. Having recently been in the spotlight for his IPL performance, his composed innings in this Test marks a significant career milestone, proving his adaptability under pressure as he continues to evolve as a senior member of the Indian setup.