Yuvraj Singh wishes Ajinkya Rahane on his 30th Birthday

Published - 06 Jun 2018, 10:36 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:02 AM

Ajinkya Rahane. Credits: Getty Images

One of the most established Test batsmen of the current generation, Ajinkya Rahane turned 30 today.

Like on most cricketer’s birthdays, Twitterati was flooded with birthday wishes for the stylish right-handed batsman. Rahane hasn’t been at his best in the recent past. However, he is a big match player and is as important to India, as a Virat Kohli especially in Tests.

Among his well-wishers, there was Yuvraj Singh who wished Rahane after he turned 30.

“Happy birthday Jinks, God Bless you @ajinkyarahane88 shakalaka baby,” Yuvraj said.

Rahane is definitely one of the mainstays of the Indian batting order especially in the longest format of the game. Rahane’s form will be critical if India harbours hopes of winning the Test series in England and Australia. It is scheduled to be played later in the year.

Player Ratings, Yuzvendra Chahal, South Africa Vs India 2018, India Player, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawa — India player ratings: Ajinkya Rahane scored 79 in the first ODI in Durban. Photo Credit: BCCI.

Happy birthday Jinks , God Bless you @<!---->a<!---->j<!---->i<!---->n<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->r<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->8<!---->8 shakalaka baby ?

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Rahane has been handed over the captaincy duty of India for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in the absence of their regular skipper Virat Kohli.

With the spin trio of Afghanistan wrecking havoc all across the world, it is expected India might prepare a seaming track.

In the absence of Kohli, Rahane need to step up and do the job for his national team. He is a class act and one of the finest modern-day batsmen. Rahane is capable of scoring quite briskly.

Also Read: Dale Steyn has Regained Full Fitness, Expected to be Part of the Sri Lanka Tour

Rahane hasn’t been in the best of form in the recent past

The regular vice-captain in Test cricket, Rahane was dropped from the 1^st two Tests against South Africa. It was during India’s tour to the Rainbow National early in the year.

He came into the series on the back of some poor performances against Sri Lanka. Hence, he has dropped from the playing XI in favour of Rohit Sharma. However, Rohit failed to contribute in any of the Tests. Hence, he was replaced by Rahane in the final Test.

However, he made a strong comeback in the 3^rd and the final Test. He played a couple of stylish knocks. Though he couldn’t cross 50 on any of the two innings, his touch play was quite brilliant on a difficult and a dangerous pitch. Rahane is one of the most prolific-run scorers in overseas conditions.

In India’s last tour of England, the Mumbaikar scored one of the finest centuries by an Indian batsman in overseas conditions. In a seaming track in Lord’s, Rahne played some exceptional shots. He counter-attacked the English bowling line-up to perfection.