Ajinkya Rahane Becomes First Indian Batsman To Hit Two Centuries Against Australia In Boxing Day Test

Ajinkya Rahane notched his 12th Test match century on the second day of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Australia. Along with helping India achieve a significant lead, his hundred created several records. Amongst which one is a pretty special achievement for the right-hander.

The Boxing Day Test is a big occasion; performing in the match just after Christmas is extra special. Rahane now is the only Indian batsman to hit two tons in the Boxing Day Test in Australia. No other Indian ever have recorded more than one century against the mighty Australian bowling attack in the Boxing Day Test.

His first Boxing Day Test hundred – also his first ton down under – was in 2014. Other Indian batsmen: Sachin Tendulkar in 1999, Virender Sehwag in 2003, Virat Kohli in 2014, Cheteshwar Pujara in 2018- who all each have a single Boxing Day Test ton.

India on top after Ajinkya Rahane’s ton

The bowlers did a remarkable job to dismiss Australia for 195 on the first day of the match. India was in a fragile position on Day 2 at the score of 64/3.

However, Ajinkya Rahane, the stand-in captain for Virat Kohli, stitched important partnerships with Hanuma Vihari, then Rishabh Pant, and later with Ravindra Jadeja towards the end of the day. The 32-year-old remains unbeaten on 104, alongside Jadeja who is 40* as the visitors lead by 82 runs at stumps.

Rahane and other Indian batsmen were more fortunate in Melbourne than they were in the second innings in Adelaide. While in the first Test most batters edged and were caught by the keeper or slip fielders, on the other hand, in Melbourne, there were plenty of plays and misses and rare edges.

Australia has themselves to blame for being behind in the match as they dropped as many as 4 catches- one each by Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, and Travis Head.

There is plenty of time left in the game and India has a massive chance to level the series in Melbourne. On the other hand, the hosts seemed to be still in the hangover of their victory in Adelaide and will have to recollect themselves.

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