Virender Sehwag Lauds Ajinkya Rahane For Crucial Fifty In Lord’s Test, Says ‘We Shouldn’t Forget Series Triumph In Australia Under His Leadership’

Virender Sehwag heaped praises on Ajinkya Rahane after the latter slammed a prominent 61-run knock in the ongoing India vs England 2^nd Test at Lord’s. The former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag also recalled Ajinkya Rahane’s efficient captaincy which gave India an overseas Test series victory against Australia in January earlier this year.

Ajinkya Rahane, who was out for just 1 run in the 1^st innings in the ongoing India vs England Lord’s Test encounter, scored 61 runs in the 2^nd innings. His crucial knock helped India to come out of a miserable situation, after losing three quick wickets in the first session of Day 5. After Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli lost their wickets cheaply in 2^nd innings, the Indian vice-captain Rahane built up an essential partnership of 100 runs with Cheteshwar Pujara.

Ajinkya Rahane Played A Really Good Knock, Says Virender Sehwag

While speaking on Sony Spots Network, former Indian opener and cricket commentator Virender Sehwag lauded Ajinkya Rahane for his important knock in the match.

“He played a really good knock. He had luck on his side as he got dropped on 39. He would be satisfied with his innings. Not happy off course but he will be satisfied after getting 60 odd runs to his credit. Had he converted that fifty into a century, he would’ve been happier,” Sehwag said.

Sehwag also pointed out that we often criticize Rahane for his poor batting performances but should not forget that our greatest overseas win came under his leadership.

“I must say that we criticise him often. We shouldn’t forget the series triumph in Australia. He scored a hundred in Melbourne after India were all-out for 36 in Adelaide. India won at MCG, drew in Sydney and won in Brisbane. I feel the series win in Australia is the biggest overseas win and it was under Rahane’s leadership”, Sehwag further said.

In Australia vs India Test series in December-January 2020-21, Ajinkya Rahane took on the leadership of the team after a loss in the 1^st Test. With his brilliant century, India defeated Australia in the 2^nd Test. The 3^rd Test ended in a draw while India won the 4^th Test chasing a mammoth 328, thereby crushing the Aussies at their home 2-1 in the series.

Meanwhile, India faces a rough situation in the going Lord’s Test against England. Having a lead of 27 runs in the 2^nd innings, India has reached 181-6 on the scoreboard. Rishabh Pant is the only batsman on the crease while tailenders await to arrive on the crease. Mark Wood Mark Wood picked three important crucial wickets along with Moeen Ali, who dismissed 2 Indian batsmen. Currently, India leads by 154 runs.