World Test Championship (2021-23)

'Played like a warrior' - Fans applaud Ajinkya Rahane's gutsy knock for India in first innings of WTC final

Ajinkya Rahane's stunning half-century in the first innings kept India's hopes alive in the WTC final against Australia.

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Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane (Source: Twitter)

Ajinkya Rahane Ajinkya Rahane (Source: Twitter)

Many raised their eyebrows when the Indian Cricket Board announced the squad for the World Test Championship final, seeing the name of a veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane, who had been out of international cricket owing to poor form. And when the Indian top-order crumbled against the Australian pace attack in the first innings, it took a stunning knock from the same man - Ajinkya Rahane - to keep India's hopes alive in the summit clash.

Australia amassed a huge first innings total of 469, thanks to centuries from Steve Smith and Travis Head. A highly competitive total on the English surface and accurate deliveries from the Aussie bowlers put pressure on Indian batters right from the start. India's first loss came from skipper Rohit Sharma, who was trapped in front of the wicket by Pat Cummins.

Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara both failed to cross the 20-run mark after misjudging the line and being bowled. Indian fans had high hopes for Kohli, who was fresh off a strong performance in the IPL 2023, but he was undone by Mitchell Starc’s extra bounce delivery. At 71/4, India was in trouble, but a fifty-run partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja gave the team some breathing space.

Rahane, Thakur's 100+ partnership gave India life in the WTC final

At stumps on Day 2, India were still trailing by 318 runs and in dire straits after losing five wickets. Rohit Sharma's side got off to a poor start on Day 3, but Rahane and Shardul Thakur did not let their guard down as they put on a 108-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Both faced multiple body blows from the Australian attack but played like warriors to save Team India from an embarrassing score.

Rahane missed out on a well-deserved century by just 11 runs, but the knock that came under pressure from a man returning to the Indian Test team after 512 days will forever be remembered. Thakur's half-century also played a big role in India overcoming the follow-on scare. Australia managed to pick up quick wickets after lunch and is still in the driver's seat with a healthy lead of 173 after dismissing India for 296.

Here's how fans reacted to Ajinkya Rahane's superb knock in the first innings of the WTC final: 

India Ajinkya Rahane Australia WTC