KL Rahul stepped forward as a key member of India’s generation next as he scored his maiden Test century on Thursday in the fourth Test against Australia at the SCG.

With India fielding their least-experienced Test team in almost 40 years, Rahul spearheaded India’s strong reply to Australia’s first innings of 572.

After a forgettable debut in the third Test in Melbourne where he looked out of his depth with scores of three and one, the 22-year-old showed why he was viewed as a player of the future by India’s brains trust.

In the final over before tea on the third day, Rahul cut Australian speedster Mitchell Starc to the third man boundary for four and raced up the pitch to celebrate his century with his captain Virat Kohli.

The classical right-hander averages 48.93 at first-class level and is seen as a similar type of player to Indian great Rahul Dravid, who he counts as a mentor.

Injured Australian captain Michael Clarke said Rahul was likely to be part of the Indian side for years to come.

“What a talent – this has been an outstanding Test match innings,” Clarke said on Channel Nine.

“He has has played beautifully and his footwork has been great.

“He didn’t perform as he would have liked in his first Test match, but what an amazing talent.”

Rahul was dismissed for 110 shortly after tea, when he skied a pull shot off Mitchell Starc straight up into the air and the tall left-armer took the chance.

India have been forced to rebuild their side after the retirement of a legion of some of their greatest batsman over the past few years including Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.

Former captain MS Dhoni (90 Tests) retired after the third Test in Melbourne.

The Indian side for the SCG clash has just 172 Test caps. It is their least-experienced side since the 1976 Test against new Zealand in Auckland when the combined experience of the playing XI was 154 Tests.

It wasn’t that long ago India had a player in Tendulkar, who could boast more than 172 Tests of experience himself.

The Little Master retired in November 2013 after his 200th Test.