Former Indian opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar believes Ajinkya Rahane’s magnum opus hundred on the second day of the Boxing Day Test match is one of the most important in Indian cricket history.
Rahane was handed over the captaincy baton after the team’s full-time skipper Virat Kohli returned to India for the birth of his child.
The visitors were obliterated in the second innings of the first Test match for only 36 runs and they recorded their lowest ever score in the Test matches. The team’s confidence must have dropped down considerably after their ignominious defeat but Rahane was able to turn the tables.
Rahane took his time in the initial stage of his innings as the team was in some kind of trouble at 64-3. The flamboyant batsman timed the ball to perfection and showed great resistance with the bat. Rahane played some delightful shots in his knock as he played at the top of his game.
It was a captain’s knock from Rahane and it must have given a shot to his arm. In fact, Rahane looked in complete control with the bat and got his team in a commanding position.
“I believe that this hundred is going to be one of the most important hundreds in the history of Indian cricket. Important because it’s showing character, sending a message to the opposition that after being dismissed for 36 in the previous game, to come back in this manner, this Indian team is not going to just lie down and be walked all over,” said Gavaskar on Seven network.
Rahane played a marvellous knock and it was a very important innings for the team and him. In fact, Rahane promoted himself to number four position in the absence of Virat Kohli and has led from the front in the ongoing Test match.
Meanwhile, India took a lead of 131 runs after they posted 326 runs on the board and a lot of credit goes to Rahane. The visitors have got the hosts on the ropes at 110-6 and Australia still trail by 21 runs. India will look to level the series at the MCG and if they can manage to win the ongoing Test match, it will give them a lot of confidence.
