Rahane’s Roaring Redemption:It is now common knowledge that the Indian selectors would spring up a surprise now and then. They inducted Ajinkya Rahane into the playing XI for the 2023 WTC Final. Rahane’s excellent form in IPL 2023 was seen as the reason behind his comeback into the Test squad. He ended up being India’s best batter across the Test was a small validation for the selectors.
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But nobody knew that a bigger prize was in store for Rahane. The selection committee has appointed Rahane as the vice-captain of the side for the Test series against the West Indies.
We analyze this roaring redemption of Rahane:
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#1 A shaky start but he finds his ground
Ajinkya Rahane made his long-awaited Test debut in the final Test of the BGT in 2013. He played a false stroke in the second innings that highlighted his nervousness. Rahane soon showed that he belonged as young India started their overseas journey in late 2013. In Durban, Rahane scored a fine 96 against a top attack. He brought up his first century in New Zealand in the very next series.
#2 Rahane soon becomes India’s crisis man
There is something about India’s accomplished Test batters who played at number 5. VVS Laxman used to be India’s man for a crisis during his heydays. Rahane who occupied that slot quickly grew into that role. At 145-7 on a green Lords’ pitch, Rahane hit a brilliant hundred anchoring the tail. His knock set up India’s famous win. It was their only win in 13 away Tests in that cycle.
#3 The calculated aggressor
Rahane showed another style of his batting when he took on Mitchell Johnson in MCG in 2014. In a brilliant partnership with Virat Kohli, Rahane overshadowed Kohli. He unfurled a complete range against the Aussie attack. Rahane has played many such knocks right throughout his career.
#4 He makes India’s home season count
Rahane was one of the senior members of the squad in 2016. He enjoyed a fruitful run that coincided with India’s top showing in Tests. They lost a solitary Test out of 17 that they played. India won 12 of these Tests and Rahane played a solid role in this success. He even led India in the series decider at Dharamshala against Australia. India signed off with a famous win sealing the series 2-1.
#5 The tough phase
Batting overseas had become increasingly difficult during 2018-19. Bowlers had the numbers of most batsmen across conditions. It reflected in Rahane’s middling returns too. He was dropped from the side for the first two Tests in South Africa. Rahane though made a telling contribution in India’s top win in Johannesburg. He was decent in England and Australia but an average of 34.62 and 30.66 did little justice to India’s mainstay at number 5.
#6 A terrific leader of men
Rahane had a successful 2019. He scored 642 runs at an average of 71.33 which remains his highest in a calendar year. Rahane’s contribution with the bat along with his calmness in the leadership group made him a worthy asset. He stepped up big time during India’s historic series win down under in 2020-21. After being bowled out for 36 in the second innings of the first Test and captain Kohli returning to India, it was Rahane who proved to be an inspirational leader.
#7 A captain’s knock that is etched in gold
Rahane played one of the best-ever knocks by a captain in MCG. It was his century that turned around India’s tide in the series. India went on to win the second Test and his leadership rose to the occasion once again. On the final day of the fourth Test at Gabba with the match and the series both in balance, it was Rahane’s cameo that signalled India’s intention. The side wanted to win against all odds and Rahane’s troops achieved the unthinkable. India won a historic series and he played a huge role in orchestrating it.
#8 The unexpected fall and subsequent exclusion
Much like how Pujara’s form dipped post a terrific Australia series in 2018-19, Rahane’s fortunes too plummeted post the 2020-21 series. He could muster just 547 runs in 27 Test innings at a dismal average of 20.25. The selectors were left with no other option but to drop him. Shreyas Iyer replaced Rahane at number 5 and to his credit did fairly well. But an untimely injury to Iyer ahead of the 2023 IPL meant a spot opened up in the playing XI once again.
#9 Rahane’s roaring redemption
When Rahane was dropped from the Test side in 2022 everyone had written him off. A forgettable IPL with KKR did him no good. Rahane though had a fairly decent domestic season in 2022-23. CSK picked him up in the mini-auction at the base price. Rahane playing at number 3 turned it around in style. He smashed a 27-ball 61 against MI in his first IPL game for CSK and he never looked back the whole season. Rahane played a big part in CSK’s playoffs qualification. It was his calculated assault that helped CSK power to their record-equalling fifth title.
#10 The comeback in WTC and elevation as vice-captain
The selectors had enough evidence to draft Rahane back into the Test squad for the all-important 2023 WTC Final. He was India’s best batter despite not playing a single Test in the last 18 months. The selectors have further rewarded him with an elevation to the second top position. Rahane is India’s Test vice-captain for the tour against West Indies. It has been nothing short of a fairytale for Rahane. Those who wrote his cricketing obituaries last year are singing his praises!
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