Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has made his comeback count in the ongoing WTC final against Australia. He is playing his first Test after being dropped from the team in February last year. After this, Rahane went to play domestic cricket and did well for Mumbai in the 2022-23 Ranji season. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Feb-March this year, Shreyas Iyer’s back injury re-occurred and was ruled out.
On the other hand, during the IPL 2023, the three-time Border-Gavaskar Trophy winner re-invented himself as the T20 player for the eventual champions, Chennai Super Kings. Meanwhile, in the ongoing game, after Australia scored 469 all-out, the 2021 finalists were in grave trouble. They lost four wickets for 71 runs. At this stage, Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja (48) put together 71 runs.
Late on Day Two, the latter was caught at slips off Nathan Lyon. At the start of the ongoing Day Three, KS Bharat was removed by Scott Boland. At 152/6, the Asian side desperately needed to get a big partnership from the likes of Rahane and Shardul Thakur.
Ajinkya Rahane fell short of a Test ton but stages a fightback with Shardul Thakur
Meanwhile, the duo has put together 108 runs and counting before going into the Lunch break. The team has reached 260/6 and is behind 209 runs. The former has scored 89 and counting and will look to get to his Test ton after December 2020. On the other hand, Thakur, who scored two fifties in The Oval Test against England in 2021 is batting on 36.
Not to forget, the Mumbaikar managed to break Ian Botham’s fastest fifty in England two years back. Now, both teams are on a Lunch break and the Indians will look to add more runs to put more pressure on the Aussies. During the first session, the fielding side dropped Thakur twice and bowled a no-ball at the end of the session to deny themselves a wicket. Rahane also had the same luck on Day two when Pat Cummins overstepped when the right-hander was given out.
In the second session, Rahane was caught at slips for 89 runs.
This is how Twitter reacted
Thank you Ajinkya Rahane
Thank you Lord Shardul Thakur
The first session belonged to us. pic.twitter.com/YtWYAOdRDg— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) June 9, 2023
TAKE A BOW, AJINKYA RAHANE.
89 in 129 balls with 11 fours and a six. An innings to remember on the Test return, what a knock. He made a grand comeback! No words can describe his contribution today. pic.twitter.com/N4QsbvWiVz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 9, 2023
Well played, Rahane.
Missed a well deserving hundred by just 11 runs, but what a knock, One to remember in his life, returning to the Test team after 512 days. pic.twitter.com/dpv015S1RV
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 9, 2023
If life gives you second chance use it like " Ajinkya Rahane " #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/GZc5EQJM9J
— Nishant ?? (@Nishantchant) June 9, 2023
I don't know how long this partnership lasts but the attitude has been very impressive from Rahane and Thakur
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 9, 2023
An unbeaten 108-run partnership between Rahane & Shardul keeps the Aussies at bay ?
Lunch, Day 3 – ??: 260/6 pic.twitter.com/3gr1D8EnOt
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) June 9, 2023
Best Test Batsman Of India In Overseas Conditions.
Ajinkya Rahane, Yellove ? pic.twitter.com/I5K7NoIP5l
— ` (@rahulmsd_91) June 9, 2023
Rahane wasn't joking. pic.twitter.com/9HKLTPl6fN
— Heisenberg ? (@internetumpire) June 9, 2023
What a knock by Rahane.
A come back to remember forever! Playing a Test after a year gap, with the attitude and skills he played this knock in an ICC tournament Final is stunning.
Well played, Jinx ?. pic.twitter.com/h6F8RMAVSf
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) June 9, 2023
Ajinkya Rahane and Lord Shardul Thakur at the end of the every session. ?#WTCFinal2023 | #WTC23Final | #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/dbh4tsRdtb
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) June 9, 2023
