Ajinkya Rahane Picks James Anderson As The Most Challenging Bowler He Has Faced

Ajinkya Rahane, Indian Test vice-captain, has been one of the bedrocks of the Virat Kohli-led No.1 ranked side in the world. Having made his Test debut against Australia in 2013, Rahane was India’s best batsman during their overseas cycle to SENA countries [South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia] between 2013-15.

Ajinkya Rahane’s first taste of overseas conditions came during India’s 2013 Test series in South Africa where the Mumbai batsman gave an incredible account of his technique and temperament against the moving ball and a brilliant South African attack boasting of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. Rahane missed out on a hundred by four runs in the second Test in Durban but he quickly made up for it with a masterly ton during the 2014 tour of New Zealand.

Rahane has faced a lot of quality bowlers in a wide range of conditions but when he was asked to name one bowler that he has found really challenging in his career thus far, the Indian vice-captain was quick to point out the leading wicket-taker of all times when it comes to fast bowlers, England’s James Anderson.

Hailing James Anderson for his supreme mastery over his skills, especially in English conditions, Ajinkya Rahane said the champion fast bowler knows the conditions in England really well.

“(But) especially talking about one particular bowler – James Anderson in England is really challenging. He knows the conditions well. He (Anderson) is the one,” said Ajinkya Rahane in an Instagram Live session organized by his employer ‘Indian Oil’.

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Ajinkya Rahane scored a brilliant hundred against James Anderson and co in 2014

Talking about English conditions, Ajinkya Rahane was one of the few Indian batsmen who was able to successfully counter the challenge posed to him by the English bowlers and especially James Anderson during his maiden visit to the country back in 2014.

On a green mamba masquerading as a Test match pitch at Lord’s, Ajinkya Rahane played an innings for the ages when he complied a brilliant century to take India out of a desperate situation that they found themselves after having lost their first seven wickets for 145.

India eventually recovered to post 294 in the first innings and proceeded to trump England on the final day after Ishant Sharma registered his carrer-best figures of 7-75.

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