One of the great Boxing Day hundreds : Shane Warne hails Ajinkya Rahane

Former Australian spin legend Shane Warne is nothing but praises for current Indian test captain Ajinkya Rahane. India commenced their 2nd Test of the 2020 Border Gavaskar trophy against Australia on 26th December. Australia, batting first, only managed to put 195 on the board in their 1st innings of the 2nd Test. Jasprit Bumrah was the chief architect behind Australia’s quick collapse. Bumrah scalped 4 wickets in the 1st innings, conceding just 56 runs. 

Ashwin was also instrumental, picking 3 wickets in the 1st innings of the 2nd Test. 

India needed a solid start ahead of their innings. Mayank Agarwal failed once again, as Mitchell Starc dismissed him for a duck. Shubman Gill put up a solid knock of 45, in his 1st appearance in the 2020 Border Gavaskar trophy. But only one man caught the eye that day. It was Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane amassed his 12th Test hundred in the 2nd Test against Australia. In the last ball of the 67th over, Rahane smashed Mitchell Starc for his four. With this boundary, Rahane successfully registered his 2nd Boxing Day century. This was quite an important knock considering the difficult batting conditions. For his superb knock, Rahane was extolled by the likes of the veteran spin bowler. Warne felt that Rahane’s knock will definitely go down as one of the greatest Boxing Day centuries. 

India were eventually bowled out for 326. However, Rahane’s knock ensured India go into the lead with a lead of 131 runs. Warne also felt that India’s regular captain Virat Kohli would be proud of Rahane. 

Rahane bags his 2nd Boxing Day hundred

This is Rahane’s 2nd century when it comes to the Boxing Day Tests. Rahane smashed 112 runs in just 233 balls, with 12 fours in his innings. With this, Rahane is now the Indian batsmen with the most runs at the MCG. Previously, Virat Kohli held this record. In 3 Test matches, Kohli amassed 316 runs with a blistering average of 52.33. Rahane, the current record holder, now has 334 runs to his name in this venue. Rahane’s 1st hundred on Boxing Day came back in 2014 at the MCG. In just 171 balls, Rahane blasted 147 runs. However, the encounter eventually resulted in a draw.

Team India is in the driver’s seat in the 2nd Test. They will look to pile up the pressure on the Australians to make a comeback in the 2nd Test of the Test series.

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