KL Rahul didn’t play any cricket for more than four months, between May 1, 2023 when he tore a tendon in his right leg during an Indian Premier League game, and September 10, 2023 when he was hurriedly drafted into the 50-over Asia Cup XI against Pakistan after Shreyas Iyer suffered back spasms a few minutes before the toss.

Showing no signs of having been caught unawares, the stylish right-hander produced a subliminal unbeaten 111, adding 233 for the unbroken third wicket with Virat Kohli to mastermind India’s record 228-run triumph.