India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane smashed his 12th hundred in Test cricket against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. Incidentally, the 32-year-old also became the twelfth Indian captain to score a Test ton.
Captain leading from the front. Brings up a brilliant century. His 12th in Test cricket
— BCCI (@BCCI)
The Indian middle-order batsman, who is leading the side in the absence of Virat Kohli, also became only the second Indian captain to score a ton at MCG after Vinoo Mankad had registered a hundred in 1948.
Ajinkya Rahane's 12th Test ton - and one of his best! |
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
Leading from the front, Rahane notched up his brilliant century to put the visitors in a dominant position in the Boxing Day Test as India ended the second day on 277/5 with an 82-run lead.
Rain stops play and it's stumps at the MCG on day two ☔
India lead by 82 runs with the partnership for the sixth wicket past 100 SCORECARD
— ICC (@ICC)
Skipper Rahane and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were batting on 104 and 40 respectively after the end of day's play.
Rahane’s ton has put India in a stupendous position to make a comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 after the visitors had suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat in the first Test of the four-match series in Adelaide.
Twitter erupted as Rahane completed his eighth Test century away from home as former cricketers and fans poured in their wishes for the Mumbaikar’s scintillating innings.
A captains solid , gritty and calm just like his personality sharp mind in field setting aswell ! looking great how good has he become batting lowerdown the order for ! Great start for ! We are looking good for a decent lead
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12)
Brilliant hundred by .
Determination and class.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
One of Rahane’s best Test hundreds. One of the best away hundreds from an India captain. Leading by example. Leading from the front. Admiration and respect ✊
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Sometimes you see a performance that mirrors a player's character. This century by did just that. He can be so proud of this innings.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Leading from the front
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Led the side well now Solid 100 by Team India in the driving seat now
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Brilliant 100 .. Well done captain leading from the front ⭐️
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
The visitors had bowled Australia out for a paltry 195 runs on the first day of the second Test at the MCG.
Meanwhile, Australia captain Tim Paine became the fastest wicket-keeper to reach 150 dismissals in Test cricket.
Sensational stuff
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
The Australian skipper achieved the feat in just 33 Test matches, breaking the record of South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who had registered 150 dismissals in 34 matches.
Feature image courtesy: WILLIAM WEST / AFP
