Senior India batsman Ajinkya Rahane stepped up to the big challenge in the Ultimate Test, the WTC Final 2023, against Australia at the Oval to record a terrifically weaved half-century, keeping India’s fight with the bat alive in the contest.
Ajinkya Rahane, back in the Indian Test team after more than a year, and being doubted of his place in the side because of his IPL exploits, forged a valiant half-century, which he brought up with a superbly timed sixer off Australian skipper Pat Cummins in the morning session of Day 3.
He had got an early reprieve in his innings: when Pat Cummins had him dismissed lbw but the speedster had overstepped and it was called a no-ball. Barring that, and a few close shaves,Rahane has mostly put his foot forward right and made astute decisions in terms of stroke-making and footwork.
He had come in with India tattering at 50/3. While Rahane didn’t show the same aggression and attacking instincts he did in the IPL for CSK, the confidence he had spoke beamingly in his drives and flicks.
In particular, in his knock, Ajinkya Rahane played some sumptuous drives off the Aussie seamers on the lush green outfield at The Oval.
At the time of writing, he has scored 62 runs off 98 balls with the help of 8 fours and a six, and India are now at 209/6, 61 runs away from safely avoiding the follow-on.
Rahane’s fifty made the fans feel happy and warm and motivated about India being able to escape embarrassment in the WTC Final 2023.
Here are some of the best tweets on Ajinkya Rahane’s fighting fifty:
