Ajinkya Rahane continues to impress as a leader. After staying out for the first time in his test run, Rahane made a wonderful gesture as he patted Ravindra Jadeja on the chest, signaling the off-roader to continue as India’s first inning passed 100 on Day 3 of the second round between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Australia vs India, second test day 3: live updates
It was a bad call for a quick single when Ravindra Jadeja, hitting at 49, pushed Nathan Lyon offside and got going. Ajinkya Rahane answered the call, but Marnus Labuschagne fielding in short coverage came up with a brilliant fielding effort. Rahane’s bat was in the crease when captain Tim Paine broke the stumps.
The Austrians did not seem confident when the decision was sent to the third referee, but there was joy for them that Rahane ran out of 112. India was playing the Australian attack comfortably before that ill-fated run. It triggered a meltdown as India topped by 326, adding just 49 runs to their nighttime score and losing 5 wickets.
As he returned to the pavilion, Rahane did not lose his cool, but comforted Jadeja and urged him to continue and extend India’s lead. The gesture won hearts on social media with former Australian cricketer Tom Moody applauding Rahane.
“Once again @ ajinkyarahane88, show that leadership begins with actions, his response to his destiny was that of a true team man!” Moody wrote on social media.
Again @ ajinkyarahane88 Showing leadership begins with actions, his response to his destiny was that of a true team man! #AUSvIND
– Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 28, 2020
Cricket fans on social media praised Rahane, who acknowledged the cheers from the crowd as he walked back after scoring his best hundreds in test cricket.
“Fabulous gesture from @ ajinkyarahane88, patting @imjadeja even though it sold out, more like going to jaddu, keep up with what you’ve been doing right so far. What a selfless guy,” wrote one fan.
Fabulous gesture of @ ajinkyarahane88, caressing @imjadeja despite running out, more like going to jaddu, keep up with what you’ve been doing right so far. What a selfless guy.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/85tKz2BFbd
– Ram Kumar Sharma (@ RamKuma12364395) December 28, 2020
In particular, Ajinkya Rahane was involved in the depletion of Virat Kohli in the early innings of the first test, a mix-up that caused a massive collapse for the India team. India went on to lose the first game of the series by 8 wickets after collapsing to 36 in the second inning.
However, Rahane left behind much-talked about burnout and India’s drop to its lowest test total to skyrocket in the Boxing Day test. Taking the captaincy from Virat Kohli, who headed home on paternity leave, Rahane was tactically brilliant on the field, helping India defeat Australia by 195 in the first innings.
Rahane became the second captain of India after Sachin Tendulkar in 1999 to reach 100 at MCG as captain of India when he completed the milestone on Sunday, helping India take a practical lead in the first inning.
