Ajinkya Rahane, the former Indian cricket captain, has made headlines once again with his outstanding performance in the County Championship Division-2. Playing for Leicestershire, Rahane showcased his batting prowess by scoring a remarkable 40th first-class century against Glamorgan. This impressive feat has reignited hopes for his return to the Indian Test squad.
In the second innings for Leicestershire, Rahane scored 102 runs off 190 balls, marking his first century in nearly two years. His last century came in a Ranji Trophy match against Assam in January 2023. Despite being dropped from the Indian team in July 2023 due to a prolonged slump in form, Rahane has demonstrated resilience by focusing on domestic cricket and county appearances to reclaim his spot in the national team.
Rahane’s recent performances in the County Championship and One-Day Cup have been noteworthy. During the One-Day Cup, he amassed 378 runs in 10 matches, including four half-centuries. This strong form has given him a platform to make a case for his return to India’s Test lineup, although his chances in the white-ball format appear limited for now.
Rahane’s journey in first-class cricket is nothing short of impressive, with 13,387 runs in 190 matches, including 40 centuries. In Test cricket, he has scored 5,077 runs in 85 matches, featuring 12 centuries. His experience and skill in red-ball cricket continue to make him a valuable asset, and his recent performances suggest that he still has much to offer at the highest level.
As Rahane continues to perform in the county circuit, the cricketing world watches closely, hopeful that his hard work will soon be rewarded with a call-up to the Indian Test team once again.
