Ajinkya Rahane with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Photo- Twitter)
Ajinkya Rahane with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Photo- Twitter)

India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane recalled captaining India to the Test series win over Australia in the 2020-21 series and called it his proudest moment. Rahane had led the Indian team in three out of four Test matches on the tour, winning two and drawing one, as India won the series 2-1.

India had lost the first Test in Adelaide in a humiliating fashion after getting bowled out for their lowest Test score of 36. Virat Kohli then left Australia to come back home for the birth of his first child and Rahane took over as captain. Rahane led from the front in the second Test in Melbourne, scoring his second century at the venue, as India won the Test by 8 wickets, drawing level in the series. However, India kept facing fitness issues during the entire series, and Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj had debuted in MCG.

Indian Team
India. Image Credits: Twitter

India somehow managed to draw the third Test in Sydney thanks to R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari with help from Rishabh Pant. But then lost Vihari, Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah to injuries for the series decider in Brisbane.

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India did the unthinkable in Gabba, as they chased down the 328-run target with half-centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane lifted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, for the second time in Australia.

It Was The Biggest Series For Us: Ajinkya Rahane

In an interview with BCCI TV, Ajinkya Rahane touched upon some topics like the upcoming World Test Championship final against New Zealand, playing in England, and chose his proudest moment to date.

Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane smashes century against Australia in 2nd Test in 2020 (Image Credit: Twitter)

Leading the country in Australia was the proudest moment for me because you are representing your country and then winning the series in Australia, especially after losing the first match, it was the biggest series for us. Personally I am really happy the way we played in Australia overall but right now it is all about this game and giving our best as a team,” Rahane said while choosing his proudest moment.

Rahane will be next seen in the WTC Final against New Zealand and then in the five-Test series against England.

Personally, I am very excited to play in the WTC final: Ajinkya Rahane

India will be facing New Zealand in the final of the World Test Championship from June 18 onwards with the match to be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. India is currently practicing at the venue and had an intra-squad match.

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Rahane said that India deserved to be in the WTC final due to them playing consistent cricket over the last two years and he was excited to be part of the WTC Final.

Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane (Image Credit: Twitter)

Two years we have played consistent cricket as a team and reaching the WTC final is a result of this. It was not easy because in Test cricket you have to give your best in every match. Overall the cricket we had played since the start of the WTC, from West Indies, the team has performed as a unit till now,” he said.

“Yes, it is an important match but as a team we will take it as just another game. We got quality time here to prepare ourselves. Personally, I am very excited to play the WTC final. We will just try to give our best in this match and accept whatever the result is,” he added.

India will have their work cut out as New Zealand will be coming for them after demolishing England in the two-Test series.

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