Twitter Reacts As Ajinkya Rahane's 100 Puts India In A Dominant Position In The Boxing Day Test
Published - 27 Dec 2020, 01:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:13 PM
An unbeaten 014 by skipper Ajinkya Rahane and valuable contributions from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja has helped India assume the driver seat in the Boxing Day Test as the visitors finished at 5/277 at stumps on day 02.
On what was an overcast day in Melbourne, the Indians were expected to face an examination of the highest order from the relentless juggernaut that are Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. And, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara faced exactly that.
Cummins and Hazlewood were once again relentless sans the luck that they enjoyed during the second innings at the Adelaide Oval. Unlike Adelaide, where everything that the Australians dished out found the edge and carried comfortably to the fielders, there were a lot of plays and misses, and in the case of Pujara even when they took the edge, the ball fell short of the slip fielders.
Paine thought that Pujara had edged it (he seemed to be the only one) and decided to take the review, which ultimately turned out to be unsuccessful. Cummins probed away at Pujara with the inward angle before seaming the ball sharply away and after a number of edged falling short, he finally got his man, only this time it took a freak of a catch from Paine to effect the dismissal.
Gill, who fell five short of a half-century on debut, rode his luck in the morning session. He was consistently troubled by Josh Hazlewood, who brought the ball sharply into the right-hander. Tim Paine dropped the youngster after he was nearly cut into half in Hazlewood’s first over of the day while in the following over, the ball fell too far away for Paine’s liking.
The duo squandered all the hard work they had done in the first 50 minutes of play and with the score reading 3/64, it was down to captain Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari to withstand the onslaught by Cummins and his fellow paceman.
Ajinkya Rahane’s brilliant 100 Rishabh Pant’s counter-attack helped India leapfrog Australia’s first innings total
Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari ensured that the visitors did not lose any more wickets in the pre-lunch session. The duo stitched a patient 52-run-stand on either side of lunch before Nathan Lyon, who looked pretty threatening on a track that was offering turn and bounce, proved to be the partnership-breaker after Vihari, in an attempt to sweep the off-spinner got beaten by the extra bounce to give a simple catch to Steve Smith at leg-slip.
Pant eventually nicked off to Starc (who notched up his 250th wicket) for an impactful 29. Rahane, however, continued to get better and better as his innings progressed. The Indian captain played a true captain’s knock; one that was full of patience, grit, gusto and immense determination. Rahane completed his half-century courtesy of a faint tickle down the leg-side off Mitchell Starc before rain cut-short the session by a few deliveries with India just 10 runs behind Australia’s target.
With the new ball just 10 overs away, India needed Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja to stay at the crease as and when Australia took the new cherry, which is exactly what the duo did.
Jadeja played some brilliant strokes while Rahane was as solid as ever as they not only leapfrogged Australia’s total but also took the lead close to the 50-run-mark by the time the new ball was taken by the home side. Mitchell Starc took the new ball and immediately created an opportunity when Rahane edged one to slips, only for Steve Smith to shell it.
Rahane and Jadeja made full use of the brand new cherry as runs started to come thick and fast with the Indian captain flexing his muscles to cream some sumptuous strokes.
And, the moment that Rahane and the whole of India have been waiting for came in the 88th over when he smashed Pat Cummins for a ferocious square-cut to complete what was truly captain’s knock.
A knock glittered with solid technique, hours of patience, brilliant strokeplay, and doggedness. This was Rahane’s second hundred in Australia and he joined Virat Kohli to become the second Indian skipper to score a Test hundred on captaincy debut. He also became the 2nd Indian skipper after Sachin Tendulkar to score a ton at the MCG.
He soon brought up the 100-run-stand with Jadeja with a sumptuous cover-drive off Hazlewood as India inched toward the lead of 100. Rahane was once again dropped when he awkwardly fended at a Pat Cummins delivery by Cameron Green, which also proved to be the last ball of the day as the rain arrives shortly thereafter.
Here’s how Twitter reacted-
Sometimes you see a performance that mirrors a player's character. This century by @<!---->a<!---->j<!---->i<!---->n<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->r<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->8<!---->8 did just that. He can be so proud of this innings.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Given the circumstances, that's one of the great Indian Test hundreds. Legitimately happy for @<!---->a<!---->j<!---->i<!---->n<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->r<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->8<!---->8
— Chinmay Bhogle (@chinmaybhogle) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Stand up and applaud your captain, India.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Some fight fire with fire.
Some fight fire with water.Played boss.
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Indian captain to score a Test century at MCG:
1999: Sachin Tendulkar
2020: Ajinkya RahaneIncredible innings ?
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Who needs Virat Kohli? Superb and possibly series-changing century by Ajinkya Rahane, celebrated in understated manner. The stand-in captain is no fuss, just gets the job done. #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Superb century for Ajinkya Rahane. He becomes the fifth Indian captain to make a century in Australia, picking up where Virat Kohli left off. #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
2014 Century at MCG ✅
2020 Century at MCG ✅Ajinkya Rahane ~ Only Indian to Score 2 Test Centuries in Boxing day test vs AUS#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S
— ?????? (@Shebas_10dulkar) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Days after looking visibly disturbed at Kohli’s run out, Ajinkya Rahane plays a captain’s innings. Following 36 all out, steelier men could have wilted. He’s led India astutely, sans MC-BC and in-your-face attitude, and scored a terrific century. Well done. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S
— Jamie Alter ? ?? (@alter_jamie) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Hundred for Rahane! A captain's knock, really. #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1343083357794496513?s=19
Rahane’s 103 at Lord’s won India the Test in 2014. At MCG he’s exhibiting high quality Test match batting. Playing the ball under the eyes, water-tight technique & capitalising on the loose balls: virtues of a top batsman. Only Rahane has scored a fifty in this Test thus far
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Ajinkya Rahane is into the 90s. By order of the DC Admin ??
????????#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->y<!---->4<!---->J<!---->d<!---->3<!---->t<!---->f<!---->X<!---->S<!---->f
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
This could just turn out to be Rahane's epoch-making innings of his career.
That one defining innings in his cabinet of gems.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Since the start of 2018, the only Indian batsman who averages more in Test cricket than Ravindra Jadeja, is Rohit Sharma. #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Dropped at 73, Ajinkya Rahane had the joint second highest score of the series with Tim Paine.
At 74 now, highest score with Virat Kohli.
Rahane, always sharing with captains.#<!---->A<!---->u<!---->s<!---->v<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
this is a fickle game..rahane had a nightmare at Adelaide, ran his captain out, was dismissed shortly after and got a duck in the second innings implosion..here he is just days later, leading expertly and now taking his team into a strong position..nothing is forever! #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
It may seem a grind but that India is 198/5 is admirable in the context of last innings debacle of 36 & missing Virat this game. #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
The 4th 50-run partnership for #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a and @<!---->a<!---->j<!---->i<!---->n<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->r<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->8<!---->8 has been involved in three of them. This time he raises the half-century stand with @<!---->i<!---->m<!---->j<!---->a<!---->d<!---->e<!---->j<!---->a. #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
Details – h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->b<!---->G<!---->5<!---->E<!---->i<!---->Y<!---->j<!---->0<!---->K<!---->v p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->n<!---->i<!---->3<!---->k<!---->L<!---->2<!---->3<!---->j<!---->U<!---->u
— BCCI (@BCCI) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Sensational stuff @<!---->t<!---->d<!---->p<!---->a<!---->i<!---->n<!---->e<!---->3<!---->6 ? #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->l<!---->v<!---->h<!---->E<!---->r<!---->Q<!---->M<!---->5<!---->V<!---->q
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
India
First session 54/2
Second session 99/2
Difference = @<!---->R<!---->i<!---->s<!---->h<!---->a<!---->b<!---->h<!---->P<!---->a<!---->n<!---->t<!---->1<!---->7 #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->s<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D— Kartik (@elitecynic) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Leading from the front @<!---->a<!---->j<!---->i<!---->n<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->r<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->8<!---->8 #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->s<!---->A<!---->u<!---->s #<!---->M<!---->C<!---->G<!---->T<!---->e<!---->s<!---->t
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Well played, Rahane. First half century of the Test. ?? And it’s already the fifth session. #<!---->A<!---->u<!---->s<!---->v<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1343040360814157824?s=19
It could be just 29 runs. But that was a crucial innings in the context of the game.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1343044368014327808?s=19
50 partnership in 73 balls
The Rahane-Pant stand has now crossed the 50-run mark. #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a are 166-4 and trail Australia by 29 runs.
? – Getty Images Australia p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->r<!---->P<!---->P<!---->3<!---->4<!---->5<!---->Z<!---->i<!---->B<!---->6
— BCCI (@BCCI) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Fewest balls to 250 Test wickets for Australia
11976 M Starc
12578 M Johnson
12722 D Lillee
12961 B Lee
13015 G McGrathPant becomes the landmark victim for Starch<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->5<!---->l<!---->e<!---->u<!---->Y<!---->5<!---->0<!---->U<!---->n<!---->f#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Best Bowling Strike Rate in Tests (Min – 250 Wickets)
Dale Steyn – 42.3
Waqar Younis – 43.4
Malcolm Marshall – 46.7
Allan Donald – 47.0
Mitchell Starc – 47.9#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Starc’s wrist position and shape on the ball is something that was missing for a while.
The way he is now able to get the ball back in makes him a far more dangerous bowler.#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
AUS lost a string of wickets against older KK ball. India found old ball swing.
AUS so far haven't found much swing with the old ball.
A point to note.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
The run rate in this series – 2.7rpo – is the lowest for any Test series in Australia since 1997/98. #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->B<!---->5<!---->a<!---->d<!---->s<!---->s<!---->B<!---->3<!---->Q<!---->i
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Bowlers in Test history with more wickets than Pat Cummins, at a better average:
Sydney Barnes
Alan Davidson
Malcolm Marshall
Joel Garner
Curtly Ambrose#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
A pearler of a pluck from Paine! And it's the big wicket of Pujara too!@<!---->h<!---->c<!---->l<!---->t<!---->e<!---->c<!---->h | #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->q<!---->4<!---->r<!---->F<!---->h<!---->C<!---->b<!---->7<!---->Y<!---->j
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
You won't see much better fast bowling that this spell from Pat Cummins (to be fair, probably a phrase that has been used before and will be used again)#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Pujara's outside edge has been found wanting in recent times. Roach in North Sound, Rabada in Pune, Jamieson in Wellington, Ebadot in Kolkata and now Cummins in the two Tests this series.
He now averages 27.88 in 17 innings since last Australia tour in 2018/19.#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Pujara's outside edge has been found wanting in recent times. Roach in North Sound, Rabada in Pune, Jamieson in Wellington, Ebadot in Kolkata and now Cummins in the two Tests this series.
He now averages 27.88 in 17 innings since last Australia tour in 2018/19.#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
Highest scores by Indian batsmen in their Test debut innings in Australia.
– 76 by Mayank Agarwal @ #2 (27 yrs) at MCG in Dec 2018
– 51 by Dattu Phadkar @ #8 (22 yrs) at SCG in Dec 1947
– 45 by Shubman Gill @ #2 (21 yrs) at MCG in Dec 2020#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->s<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1342982490437218310?s=19
Review, drop, boundary, not carrying.
2.2 overs only.#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
When it was sunny yesterday when you bowled but cloud cover all around today when you have to bat#<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->T<!---->C<!---->h<!---->U<!---->W<!---->E<!---->m<!---->S<!---->Q<!---->b
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) D<!---->e<!---->c<!---->e<!---->m<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->2<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0
