Watch: Ajinkya Rahane makes mess of Suryakumar Yadav's incredible gesture, falls for 98 in SMAT semi-final

Mumbai batter Ajinkya Rahane had a disappointing end to his innings in the semi-final of the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 against Baroda. The match between the two teams took place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 13th December.

Rahane, who is going through the red hot form in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, brought up his best in the semi-final of the tournament. The opening batter played a magnificent innings and helped his team reach the final of the tournament.

Ajinkya Rahane continued his golden touch with bat in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25

Rahane played some glorious shots in his innings and with the way he batted, it was also certain that Mumbai would chase the target of 159 runs with ease. He oozed his class with the bat and ensured that he took his team to the win in the knockout match.

Ajinkya Rahane first slammed a glorious half-century and then was marching towards the century. Although there were few runs left in the bank, it seemed that he wouldn't get there, but Suryakumar Yadav at the other end provided him with a great opportunity to get to his ton.

Suryakumar Yadav played three dot balls to allow Ajinkya Rahane to reach his century. But the Mumbai batter bottled the chance as he perished right after that as the senior bat bagged an unlucky dismissal and was back in the hut two runs ahead of his century.

Rahane was removed by Abhimanyu Singh. He bowled a fuller delivery angling onto off, to which the batter shuffled in for a flick and got a leading edge that went high up in the air. Before the wicketkeeper took the catch to end his innings.

Watch: Suryaumar Yadav defends three balls to allow Ajinkya Rahane to get his century, batter perishes for 98

Smile of the face of Ajinkya Rahane after Surya didn’t take the single on last ball and wants him to complete his 100. 😁❤️ pic.twitter.com/nMQr3liFu7

— CricXtasy (@CricXtasy) December 13, 2024

Great sportive spirit❤️ from #surya.
He played 3 dot balls for Rahane's 100. But unfortunately he missed his century. pic.twitter.com/HVh1WA5IPm

— ...... (@way_2_create) December 13, 2024

pic.twitter.com/b8D0NaU2Lr

— Sunil Gavaskar (@gavaskar_theman) December 13, 2024

Rahane ended with the innings of 98 runs off 56 balls. He batted with a strike rate of 175. He slammed 11 fours and 5 sixes in his innings and made sure that Mumbai reached close to the target. Overall in the 7 games, he has accumulated 334 runs at an average of over 55.

Happy we won the match, hundreds will keep happening but it is about winning matches - Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane talked about his innings after the game, having won the Player of the Match award. He wasn't disappointed with not getting the ton, saying that winning the game was important. He also stressed that when he was promoted to opener, he understood the need to capitalize on the powerplay. He explained:

"Really happy with the way I am batting. Happy we won the match, hundreds will keep happening but it is about winning matches, keeping the positive intent and playing for the team. The way T20 is moving, you need to capitalize on the first six overs.

"I was batting at number 4 initially but I was told by the team management to open the batting, and I realise it is important to capitalize in the powerplay."

Also Read: India Playing 11 vs Australia- 3rd Test, India tour of Australia 2024-25