Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane : 5 test knocks that defined the man he is, was and will always be.

Manners maketh a man”. Former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane is a living embodiment of this saying. The safest hands in the slips, India’s most dependable middle order batsman and man of exquisite character has officially called it a day and even the weather today seems a bit somber. Rahane was not India's batting mainstay, even though there was a time when he was their most reliable overseas batter. He was never the captain, until the captain wasn't around. He was crucial without being central. He was understated and yet valuable. 

"From those early days traveling from Dombivli as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap. I lived by one simple rule: always put my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty and I have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you. Since the time I made my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of [it] over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't " An emotional Rahane was quoted saying in his instagram video. 

Rahane's legacy was never meant to be measured that way. Through a 10-year-long journey in Tests, Rahane proved there was more than one way of being exceptiona l. Over the years, Rahane along with Kohli, Rohit and Pujara formed one of India’s most riveting slip cordon. His reflexes came to the fore as he took some outstanding catches. Yet, at pitchpoint, we list down the five knocks that made him the mainstay of Indian batting. These knocks not only changed India’s fortunes but also made him an invaluable asset. 

5 : 127 and 100 vs South Africa (South Africa tour of India 4th Test, 2015, Feroze Shah Kotla, New Delhi)

On a tricky surface at the Kotla( then name), Rahane came out to bat at 66/3. He along with Kohli, and help from Ashwin and Jadeja took India to 334. In reply, South Africa were shot out for 121 with Jadeja taking a fifer. But Rahane was not done yet. He scored a sublime 100 in the second innings which eventually help India seal the game by a whopping margin of 337 runs. The win seemed easy, but Ajinkya Rahane’s magnificent 227 runs across two innings helped set up a famous Indian win and also inflict a 3-0 whitewash.

4 :  89 vs Australia ( ICC World test championship final, 2023)

In a  final that was a horrible one sided in favour of Australia, Ajinkya Rahane’s 89 was the silver lining.  With Shardul Thakur, he literally saved India from the blushes as they avoided the follow on after Australia put on a massive 469 on the board. A trademark Rahane innings that was laced with those cover drives and pull shots, he gave his best, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough as Australia added their only missing title to their cabinet. 

3 : 118 vs New Zealand  (India tour of New Zealand, 2nd Test 2014)

Before Lords, Melbourne or the oval, Rahane made a name for himself with a riveting 114 on a tough wicket at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. After Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami ran through the batting line up and skittled out New Zealand for a mere 192, Rahane along with MS Dhoni and some useful contributions from the lower order took India to a competent 438 runs. 

In reply,  Brendon McCulum scored a massive 302 runs to deny India back to back series wins in Kiwi land and somewhat overshadowed a Rahane special that had put New Zealand on the backfoot for most of the test before a Kohli special in the second innings was enough for India to secure a draw. 

2 : 112 vs Australia (India tour of Australia, 2nd test, 2020/21)

One should argue that why this knock isn’t numero uno on the list, yet it comes very close. The backstory - India were knocked off for 36 runs in Adelaide, their lowest ever test score. Virat Kohli goes back for the birth of his child, Rohit Sharma is not available and Rishabh Pant just comes back to the squad. India had their back against the wall. Enter the boxing day test. 

India knocked the hosts off for 195. In response they were 173/5 before Rahane and Jadeja took them out of embarrassment. 6 years after his memorable ton at the same venue, this Rahane knock was even more sublime as he took on the bowling trio of Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins with aplomb 112 of the most magnificent runs were scored and India took a vital lead of 131 runs. They bowled the hosts out for 200 and in the second innings, it was Rahane who fittingly finished things off and eventually, India went on to win a historic series under him. 

1 : 103 vs England  (India tour of England, 2nd test Lords, 2014)

Jadeja’s taking down of Anderson, Bhuvneshwar Kumar picking up 6 wickets, Ishant Sharma’s bullying of England with short deliveries. There were many moments in the test match… yet what stood out was Ajinkya Rahane’s most marvelously majestic innings. India were precariously placed at 145/7. He, along with Bhuvi, took them to 295 on a lush green top at Lords. His cover driving off James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Liam Plunket was a delight to watch as India did not allow England to run away with the lead. 

Jadeja and the bowlers, Bhuvi again here with a vital half century set England a target of 328 before Ishant whipped up his magic. Root, Moeen, Ali, Mat Prior and Stuart Broad were his victims and Jadeja ran out Anderson to fittingly seal the test match. But in the annals of Indian cricket history, Ajinkya Rahane’s riveting knock should never be forgotten….. NEVER.