India’s stand-in skipper for the remaining three Tests Ajinkya Rahane stepped up to the occasion as he notched up a very important hundred in the final session of Day 2. Rahane’s hundred came at a critical time as in the absence of Virat Kohli in the side, the Indian batting had weakened up which is why one of the senior batsmen from the side had to step up and take the responsibility on their shoulders which Rahane did relentlessly.
India didn’t have the most ideal start as Mayank Agarwal was dismissed for not in the very first over of the innings. In the followup, it was Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill who led the charge early on in the innings as the two got past the 50 run mark. But as soon Shubman Gill departed for 45 Pujara too ended up giving up his wicket, both to Australia’s leader of the pace bowling attack Pat Cummins.
India bank on Rahane to take driver’s seat
In the aftermath, it was Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant who got things going until Pant too lost his wicket after an aggressive knock of 29 runs. In the end, it was Jadeja and Rahane who were involved in a 104 run partnership as it took India’s lead to 82 runs at the end of day 2.
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Ajinkya Rahane became the only fifth Indian player in history to score a hundred in Australia as a captain of the side. He now joins the elite of players which include Mohammed Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli. The hundred at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was his second at the historical venue whereas it was 12th century overall.
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Let’s take a look at how the Twitter World Reacted to Ajinkya Rahane’s blistering century:
Brilliant hundred by @ajinkyarahane88 .
Determination and class.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 27, 2020
One of the finest innings by an Indian captain in a tough conditions and situation abroad. Well done #AjinkyaRahane #indvsaus2020 . Rahane enjoying extra responsibility.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 27, 2020
Led the side well now Solid 100 by @ajinkyarahane88 Team India in the driving seat now
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 27, 2020
Serious innings by @ajinkyarahane88. Setting up to be a great test.
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 27, 2020
This is exactly what India needed.. The skipper leading from the front. Well played Rahane.. #indvsaus2020 #AjinkyaRahane #TestCricket #testcentury #captainsknock
— Ranadeb Bose (@swingswami) December 27, 2020
Showing again what he's made of, Ajinkya . Has played more fluent innings than this before but none better 👏👏👏#AusAvIND
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 27, 2020
@ajinkyarahane88 is batting like an old fashioned champion whose willingness to occupy crease as well as keep scoreboard ticking has OZ bowlers ‘thinking’..we might be in store for a Happy New Year Finish..memories o @ajinkyarahane88 at Lord’s not too long ago..!!!
— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) December 27, 2020
.@ajinkyarahane88
#INDvAUS #Rahane pic.twitter.com/c2R7W7cL6I— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 27, 2020
In the context of this match, this series, his record here or even ignoring all of that, what a sensational innings from Rahane. Magnificent. Good thing that one Jinx does actually exist, eh? #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 27, 2020
Century!!!! Rahane you legend. When moments need to be made, great leaders stand up. Well done Captain Rahane. #INDvsAUS #cricket #AUSvsIND #hoggsvlog #Rahane
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) December 27, 2020
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