For a while, India’s vice-captain in Test cricket, Ajinkya Rahane Stats struggled to match the heights he is capable of. Ajinkya Rahane was criticized by many pundits and fans alike for going under a shell. The solid Test cricketer, who was known to do better abroad than in the sub-continent, couldn’t quite get going home.
The senior batsman had things not quite in sync in the phase between 2017-18. After the first two Tests against Sri Lanka in August 2017, Ajinkya Rahane’s Stats struggles got the better of him. He lacked the composure and looked caught at his own misery. There were questions on the mindset of the player, who looked short on confidence.
He misfired in the next four Tests against the islanders that included three matches at home. Rahane was benched for two Tests against South Africa. Against Afghanistan in the one-off Test last year, he didn’t perform well and fell cheaply.
The middle-order batsman then found it difficult against the seaming ball in England. Apart from a few innings here and there, Ajinkya Rahane’s solid approach was missed. Against Australia, Ajinkya Rahane Stats just two fifties across seven innings. Somehow, India seemed to be dependent largely on captain Virat Kohli in the middle order as there were many chopping and changing especially at the top.
The Mumbaikar got back in shape in the two-match series against West Indies last year at home with his stats reads scores of 41 and 80. Since then, he has played an important role and the stakes are now high for a player, who was under the threat of losing his place.
Here we analyze why Ajinkya Rahane Stats and is Rahane the unsung hero of this Indian middle order?
Team India stuck with Rahane and reaped benefits
Team India needs to be lauded for backing Rahane and not dropping him after some poor performances at home. There was that element of trust and the idea of backing an experienced Test player. And this year, Rahane bore the fruits of that trust.
He repaid the side with a brilliant series against West Indies away from home. When the chips were down, Rahane steered the ship in that series and forged partnerships. He batted with a sense of responsibility and there was positivity all around. His presence lifted the side and India blanked Windies 2-0 to seal the series.
Ajinkya Rahane Stats reads scores of 81, 102, 24 and 64 highlighted his dimension in that middle order. You need characters like Rahane to be present and take the mantle of the side. This is what he did against WI.
His importance once again came to fore in the recently-concluded series against South Africa. India sealed the Test series by a 3-0 margin and Rahane was brilliant. He was part of crucial stands in the middle order. The 31-year-old played the perfect support role in Pune for double-centurion Virat Kohli, who amassed a record-breaking 254*.
And then in Ranchi, he shared another massive partnership alongside Rohit Sharma, who smashed 212. This is what you expect from a crunch player like Rahane on the side.
The 31-year-old is showing his real class and solidity
When you look at Rahane, he is a real fighter. He is known for his class and solidity on offer. The versatile batsman is someone who can bail a side out in difficult situations. He has that tendency to be mature and forge important partnerships. With 61 Tests and 3,975 runs under his belt, Rahane isn’t someone who can get those daddy hundreds. But he is the player who will guarantee match-winning contributions and Ajinkya Rahane Stats proves it.
He is someone who will nullify the bowling attack and assure his partner to play more positively. India is highly dependent on Kohli and Rahane in the middle order. What it has also done is that the team can select five specialist batsmen and then go with Wriddhiman Saha and two all-rounders in Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja at home conditions.
This was witnessed in the series against SA at home. With the Bangladesh series coming up in November, the management will once again use the same ploy and get in five bowlers. If Rahane would have struggled, then India would be forced to play Hanuma Vihari at six.
So things have been simplified here by the talented batsman.
Rahane is the person for tough situations
One recent memory that comes to the mind is his show during the 2nd innings of the third Test match against the Proteas in 2018. Rahane struck a valuable 48 against a solid SA line-up. In that innings we witnessed the usual Rahane, looking to settle down against a top-quality bowling attack and hanging in there.
Rahane is the right man to counter the tough situations in Test cricket. He is someone who has done it on many occasions. “We’ve seen Ajinkya for so many years, the way his Test career has progressed, and whenever the team has been in a difficult situation, he’s come and rescued us,” Rohit said after striking his double ton in Ranchi.
This indicates why Rahane is the unsung hero of Team India’s middle order. He is strong mentally and provides that resolute approach and fight. This will only benefit the side in the coming time. If India is to do well in the Test Championship, then you need the confidence of Rahane to guide the team in pivotal situations.