Birthday special: Ajinkya Rahane – Best 3 knocks in international cricket
Ajinkya Rahane is deemed as one of the finest players for India in whites. Though Rahane also has experience of playing 90 ODIs for India, he has turned out to be the regular feature for the team in the purest format. The middle-order batsman has been part of 82 Tests so far and has fetched over 4900 runs for India averaging 38.50. As the Mumbaikar turns 35 today, let’s take a look at his best three-Test knocks so far.
3) 103 vs England at Lord’s, 2014
Though this knock might come at third place on this list, it happens to be Rahane’s favourite one. Century at the Lord’s remains to be every batter’s dream and Rahane lived the same in 2015. Winning the toss, English bowlers chose to bowl and started attacking as India stumbled on 145-7. However, Rahane decided to show his grit and stood tall with the help of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bag his maiden ton at England. He played a magnificent knock of 103 runs off 154 balls and India won the Test by 95 runs.
2) 147 vs Australia at MCG, 2014
It can be said that Boxing Day Test matches are Rahane’s favourite as he has displayed his classic on the same occasion more than once. In 2014, Australia posted gigantic 530 runs on the board, and in reply, India reeled at 147-3 when Rahane shook hands with Kohli. Both the batsmen decided to take bowlers to the cleaners and Rahane smashed Mitchell Johnson mercilessly by bringing 147 off just 171 balls. Johnson conceded 138 runs as Rahane appeared in the red-hot form. In the end, India were able to draw the match respectfully.
1) 112 vs Australia at MCG, 2020
The top slot in his best knocks will be held by his valiant 112 against Australia during the Boxing Day Test match. The bowlers had already set up the perfect tone of the match after wrapping up the home side for 195. However, India were in a spot of bother at 64/3 before Rahane stepped in to display his A-game. He stitched two 50 run partnerships for the fourth and fifth wicket and a 100-run stand for the sixth wicket. India went on to win the crucial game by eight wickets. The knock became most impactful because India were coming after facing a horrific loss in the 1st Test of the series and Rahane had to lead India from the second game due to Virat Kohli’s absence.
