ICC World Test Championship: 3 Most Memorable Knocks Of Ajinkya Rahane

Indian team is set to lock horns with New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final. The Test match will commence on June 18, 2021, at The Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium in England. New Zealand was the first team to secure a berth in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. However, in the end, India finished on the top spot in the points table with the highest PCT (percentage of points) of 72.2.

During the World Test Championship journey, the Indian team played a total of 17 matches out of which they won 11 and lost 4. One match ended in a draw. When we talk about India’s journey in ICC World Test Championship, Ajinkya Rahane’s immense support in batting cannot be overlooked.

India’s Test skipper Ajinkya Rahane is the highest run-scorer for India in the tournament so far with 1095 runs in 28 innings at an average of 43+. He also smashed 6 half-centuries and 3 centuries in the tournament. He played few memorable knocks during the 17 matches he played for India during the tournament. Here we take relive Ajinkya Rahane’s 3 most memorable knocks in ICC World Test Championship.

ICC World Test Championship: 3 Most Memorable Knocks Of Ajinkya Rahane

115-Run Knock (India vs South Africa 3rd Test, 2019)

Rohit Sharma was obviously the star of India vs South Africa 3rd Test in 2019, however, Ajinkya Rahane also played an outstanding knock in the match. The match took place in Ranchi, India. Rohit Sharma smashed a double century (212) and Ajinkya Rahane smashed a century (115). India managed to score 497-9 in 1st innings. Later South Africa were bowled out for 162 and 133 in both innings and lost the match by 202 runs. Rohit Sharma’s double century overshadowed Rahane knock in the match but the latter’s 115-run knock was one of the two centuries he smashed in the ICC World Test Championship.

102-run-knock (India vs West Indies 1st Test, 2019)

India scored 297 runs in the first innings and Ajinkya Rahane hit the highest knock of 81. However, his best knock in the match arrived in the 2nd innings. West Indies made 222 runs in the 1st innings. Later, Ajinkya Rahane smashed a century (102) to take India to 343-7 in the second innings. With Rahane’s knock, India managed to put a mammoth target of 419 runs for West Indies. The opposition succumbed to India’s bowling attack and were bowled out for just 100 runs, losing the game by 318 runs. Rahane was adjudged player of the match for his incredible knocks in both innings.

102-Run Knock (India vs Australia, 2nd Test, 2020)

This was Ajinkya Rahane’s best knock in ICC World Test Championship. After losing the 1st Test Australia by 8 wickets, India were under huge pressure in the 2nd Test. With the home advantage, Australia seemed very powerful. Moreover, Indian skipper Virat Kohli also left the tournament after 1st Test due to personal reasons. Ajinkya Rahane led the Indian side in the 2nd Test.

Batting first, Australia could score only 195 runs as Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed 4 and 3 wickets respectively. In the 2nd innings, Ajinkya Rahane smashed 112 runs. Ravindra Jadeja also played a notable knock of 57. India reached 326-10 and managed a 131 runs lead in the 1st innings. In the 2nd innings, India bowled Australia for 200.

With just a 70-run target, India managed to pull off an easy victory by 8 wickets. India bounced back in the tournament and levelled the series 1-1. Ajinkya Rahane was awarded player of the match for his marvellous knock and also garnered appreciation for his incredible leadership.