The stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane completed his 12th Test century on Day 2 of the 2nd Test match against Australia. After bundling-up the Australians for just 195 runs on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test match, Ajinkya Rahane walked in at number 4 with all guns blazing and took the game by storm.
Having lost both the openers Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara, there was a lot of pressure on Rahane’s shoulders, however, he soaked in all the pressure and played a terrific knock.
He formed a decent partnership with Hanuma Vihari (21 off 66 balls) and then with Rishabh Pant(29 off 40 balls). Ajinkya Rahane completed his maiden half-century in Test as a skipper with a stunning boundary down the leg-side. This was also Rahane’s 23rd half-century in his Test career.
Rishabh Pant was dismissed by Starc before the tea break, however, after the tea break, Ajinkya Rahane continued with his brilliance and took the Indian cricket team past Australia’s first-innings total of 195 runs and take a lead in the game along with Ravindra Jadeja. He completed his century off 195 balls, smashing 12 fours.
Rahane alongwith Ravindra Jadeja led team India went past Australia’s first innings total to take the lead after the game resumed on the final season of Day 2 after a slight delay due to rain. Team India is now having a hefty lead in the ongoing game as they have cruised to an 82-run lead over Australia with Rahane and Jadeja taking the charge.
Meanwhile, social media was flooded with amazing reactions from the netizens. From fans to cricketers and cricket experts, everyone is lauding the amazing performance by Ajinkya Rahane.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
A captains ? solid , gritty and calm just like his personality @ajinkyarahane88 sharp mind in field setting aswell ! @imjadeja looking great how good has he become batting lowerdown the order for?? ! Great start for @RealShubmanGill ! We are looking good for a decent lead ??
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) December 27, 2020
What a hundred. Been six-plus years, finally a knock to match his Lord’s century… Take a bow Ajinkya Rahane! #AusvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) December 27, 2020
Rahane gets his ton! He has really stepped up. Very impressive. This Jaddu/Rahane partnership is giving Australia something to worry about. What a match thus far! ???? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WYxRWyNyzO
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) December 27, 2020
Brilliant hundred by @ajinkyarahane88 .
Determination and class.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 27, 2020
Rishta wahi Soch nayi ? #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/HnGgyw6AU8
— Angoor Stark ??? (@ladywithflaws) December 27, 2020
Sometimes you see a performance that mirrors a player’s character. This century by @ajinkyarahane88 did just that. He can be so proud of this innings.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 27, 2020
CHARACTER ???what a knock under pressure @ajinkyarahane88 ???? #AUSvINDtest pic.twitter.com/tRkIfgcFo7
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) 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
Wonderful 100 for skipper @ajinkyarahane88 on the big stage. If you follow Test cricket closely, don’t forget how nastily he’s been treated by the Kohli-Shastri duo who’re even happy to drop him from the playing XI despite being vice-captain. #INDvsAUS
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) December 27, 2020
Well played @ajinkyarahane88 ! ????
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) December 27, 2020