IND vs SL Test: Ajinkya Rahane breaks century duck – Ahead of the Ranji Trophy 2022, for Ajinkya Rahane, the message from selectors was clear, “score runs in Ranji if you are to make a comeback.” But for the Mumbaikar, it didn’t take long. In the first match, up against fellow middle-order struggler Cheteshwar Pujara’s Saurashtra, Rahane broke his century duck in red-ball cricket after more than a year. Follow IND vs SL and Ranji Trophy 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Ajinkya Rahane had endured a poor run of form since his century in the Boxing Day Test at MCG against Australia in 2020. His average dropped to 20.25 with just three half-centuries in 27 innings. It will come as a big relief to the veteran batsman, who was all set to be dropped for the Sri Lanka series. The selectors had a chat with Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid and decided that the two will have to play in the Ranji Trophy in order to get back to the team.
IND vs SL Test: Ajinkya Rahane breaks CENTURY duck in red-ball cricket, sends BIG Message to selectors ahead of SL series
“The two have been great servants for Indian cricket and deserve another chance but will that be now, I don’t think so. Since the England tour, we have had a discussion regarding how to utilise Shubman and a role in the middle-order is where he fits in. Rahul had a chat with him during NZ series. For Rahane and Pujara, we advised them to go back to domestic cricket and regain form and then try to make a comeback,” a source close to the development had told InsideSport last month.
IND vs SL Test: Ajinkya Rahane breaks CENTURY duck in red-ball cricket, sends BIG Message to selectors ahead of SL series
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IND vs SL Test: Ajinkya Rahane’s dwindling numbers in Test
- In the last 12 months, Ajinkya Rahane has averaged just 20.25 in the last 12 months, playing 15 matches.
- He has scored only three half-centuries with 10 single-digit scores.
- Rahane scored 136 runs in the Test series against South Africa while India received 136 runs in extras.
- Rahane lost his vice-captaincy in Test due to poor form.
- He was asked to play in Ranji and regain form.
IND vs SL Test: Ajinkya Rahane breaks CENTURY duck in red-ball cricket, sends BIG Message to selectors ahead of SL series
On Thursday, Ajinkya Rahane was in his element. After Prithvi Shaw and Aakarshit Gomel fell cheaply with Mumbai reeling at 22/2 against Saurashtra, Ajinkya Rahane partnered Sarfaraz Khan for an unbeaten 219-run stand for the fourth wicket. Khan, who was recently picked up by Delhi Capitals in the IPL auction, scored a fantastic century to steady Mumbai’s ship. Rahane was sold to KKR for Rs 1 Cr. At the end of first day’s play, Mumbai posted 263/3.
However, the century is unlikely to work in his favour at least for the Sri Lanka series. With tough tours ahead, the selectors wanted to give opportunities to youngsters like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer being the preferred options.
IND vs SL Test: Ajinkya Rahane breaks CENTURY duck in red-ball cricket, sends BIG Message to selectors ahead of SL series
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