A KNOCK TO REMEMBER

 

Image Credit- ICC Cricket

Venue- Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, [December 2020].

India was playing against Australia in the second test of the four-match series. It is pertinent to note that in the previous test the Indian team faced an embarrassing defeat in Adelaide wherein they were bowled out for just 36 runs in their second innings. As a result, the morale of the team was down. To make matter worse, Indians were without their regular captain. Virat Kohli was back home [Paternity Leave] and Ajinkya Rahane was leading the side. The Indians were in a precarious situation. 

On Boxing Day, Australian Captain Tim Paine won the toss and elected to bat first as on a bright sunny day it was the best thing to do. However, Jasprit Bumrah led Indian bowling attack blew the Australian batting line-up and the Aussies were bowled out for just 195 runs in 72.3 overs. Jasprit Bumrah was the leading wicket taker for the Indians as he picked up 4 wickets in the first innings.

However, the Indian start to the innings was not a great one as Mitchell Starc picked up the wicket of Mayank Agarwal in the very first over. The scorecard read 0-1 when Cheteshwar Pujara came out to bat. Pujara and Gill added a partnership of 61 runs before Gill being dismissed by Cummins.  

The scorecard read 61-2 and this is when the captain stepped into bat. However, before Rahane could settle down, India lost the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. The score was 64-3 and the Aussies were all over the Indians. Pat Cummins was bowling the spell of his life. But this is when the Indian Captain stepped up. 

Firstly, with Hanuma Vihari, Rahane stitched a partnership of 52 runs. After Vihari was dismissed, Rahane had one more 50 runs stand with Rishabh Pant. By the time Pant was dismissed the Indian scorecard read 173/5; 22 runs still behind the Australian total. One more wicket and the game would have come Australia's way.  

But, on that cloudy afternoon we saw one of the greatest batting displays by the Indian Captain. Rahane scored a marvelous hundred in the MCG against a top tier Australian bowling lineup. It is interesting to note that there were occasions where it seemed that the Aussie quicks could get his wicket. But as we say fortune favors the brave; that day the luck was on the side of Rahane. 

Rahane scored a well composed hundred and helped his team take a vital lead against the hosts. By the time Rahane was dismissed the Indian scorecard read 294/6, 99 runs ahead of the Aussie total. It is interesting to note that when Rahane was dismissed which happened because of a runout, he did not display any ill wills against his batting partner Ravindra Jadeja. The captain displayed sportsmanship even at that point of the game when it is not at all easy to keep calm. 

After Rahane's wicket, India lost the remaining 4 wickets in quick time and were eventually all out for 326 runs. Rahane was the leading scorer for the Indians  as he scored 112 runs in 223 deliveries [12 Boundaries].  

[POSTSCRIPT- The Aussies in their second innings were bowled out for 200 runs with visitors needing 70 runs to win the test. In response the Indians lost two quick wickets. However again the captain led from the front and the Indians chased the total comfortably and levelled the series 1-1. For his remarkable bating performance of 112 and 27*, Rahane was awarded the Man of the Match Award.]

To watch Ajinkya Rahane's knock of 112, click here.