Following India's defeat in the first Test against England, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has urged KL Rahul to display more consistency in Test cricket, especially as he steps into a senior role after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Manjrekar emphasized that Rahul needs to avoid being a "one-hundred wonder" and must maintain consistency throughout the series.

Rahul's inconsistency has been a recurring issue throughout his Test career. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, he has often struggled to maintain his form, leading to him being dropped from the team on multiple occasions. Now, with the responsibility of being one of the most experienced players in a relatively young batting order, Rahul is expected to provide stability and leadership while delivering consistent performances with the bat.

Manjrekar believes that "Indian cricket needs him badly," and Rahul "cannot be a one-hundred wonder or a one-Test-match performer". This highlights the importance of Rahul not just scoring runs, but doing so consistently to solidify his place in the team and guide the younger players.

While acknowledging Rahul's potential, Manjrekar has also praised Rishabh Pant's recent form, and Shubman Gill’s potential as captain. Pant became only the second wicketkeeper in cricket history to score twin centuries in a Test match. Manjrekar described Pant as a "superstar of Test cricket" who "never misses a chance to score runs". He also lauded Gill's captaincy, noting that while his style differs from Virat Kohli's, he will definitely challenge the opposition with his batting.

The pressure is on Rahul to perform in the second Test at Edgbaston. With the series already underway, a strong showing from Rahul would not only ease the pressure on himself but also inspire confidence within the team. However, tough pitches in England will test Rahul, and he will need to overcome his consistency issues to make his place by scoring runs.

In the wake of the first Test defeat, India's bowling attack is also under scrutiny. If Jasprit Bumrah remains out, the onus will be on Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammad Siraj to lead the pace attack. The return of Kuldeep Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur could also provide a game-changing spin option.

Manjrekar has, in the past, been critical of Ravindra Jadeja's performance, highlighting his poor bowling display in the first Test. He noted that the pitch didn't offer much assistance to India's seam bowlers, and Jadeja couldn't make an impact with his spin.

Looking ahead, Manjrekar has expressed confidence in Shubman Gill's potential for a standout performance in the Champions Trophy 2025. Highlighting Gill's recent form and growth as a batter, Manjrekar believes that everything is falling into place for the young Indian cricketer. He predicted that Gill could make a significant impact on the global stage, showcasing his talent and consistency when it matters most.

Ultimately, as India aims to level the series against England, the spotlight will be on KL Rahul to deliver a consistent performance and prove that he is more than just a "one-hundred wonder".