KL Rahul Steps In as Stand-In Captain, Sparks Turnaround with Two Quick Wickets: ‘He’s Calling the Shots Now’

Just before the start of Day 5, with England chasing 371 and sitting comfortably at 21 without loss, the Indian team huddled up — as most teams do before a crucial session. But what stood out wasn't the routine gathering; it was who was doing the talking. Not captain Shubman Gill or vice-captain Rishabh Pant, but KL Rahul, one of the senior-most players in the side, took charge and delivered the pep talk.
His words didn’t immediately change the course of the game. England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley dug in and kept India at bay through the entire morning session. But it was in the second session — after a rain break — that Rahul’s leadership became even more visible and impactful.
KL Rahul began actively leading on the field, making field placements, guiding bowlers, and lifting the energy of the side. It was clear to anyone watching: Rahul had temporarily taken over the captaincy reins from Gill.
The change brought results almost instantly. Prasidh Krishna, operating from the end usually reserved for Jasprit Bumrah, bowled fuller than usual, got the ball to move just enough, and found the outside edge of a well-set Zak Crawley. And who was there at slip to grab the catch? KL Rahul, of course — safe hands and sharper instincts.
India had dropped their fair share of catches earlier in the match, but Rahul made no mistake, ending a massive 188-run opening stand and giving India the breakthrough they desperately needed.
The very next over, Krishna struck again, this time bowling Ollie Pope — England's first-innings centurion — with a delivery that darted back through the gate. Two wickets in two overs, and India were suddenly right back in the match.
Rahul immediately gathered the team for another huddle. Once again, he was the one talking, leading from the front. Even Nasser Hussain, on commentary, couldn’t help but note the shift: “If you look at the field now and ask who is captaining, it will be KL Rahul. He has done all the hand signals, all the field settings. The change is evident.”
With more captaincy experience than both Gill and Pant, Rahul’s presence was steadying. He’s led India across all formats and is one of the most seasoned players in the squad, second only to Ravindra Jadeja.
Rahul had made his intentions clear even before the series began. Speaking to Sony Sports Network, he said, “I reached out to Shubman the minute the team was announced. I told him, ‘You’ll always find me around — for help, for guidance, if you need someone to share something with.’ But I also believe in giving people space to trust their instincts.”
On Day 5 at Headingley, Rahul didn’t just offer support — he embodied it, both in words and action.