After a long wait, Ajinkya Rahane has finally shown his strong and solid character with his bat in the recently concluded Antigua Test. Talking about his batting improvement, Rahane has credited his recent county stint for Hampshire.
Antigua Test was the first Test of the two-match Test series between the host side Windies and the visitors India. It was also the opening Test for both teams in the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship. The Indian Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane played the crucial role with the bat in both innings that helped India to secure a record away victory.
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In the first innings of this Test, when India were struggling on 25/3, Rahane scored an impressive 81 runs. His batting helped the visitors to manage the first innings total of 297 runs.
Later, in the second innings, Rahane scored 102 runs off 242 balls (5 fours). It was his first international century since the Colombo (SSC) Test in August 2017.
At the end of this match, India won by 318 runs – their largest Test victory (by runs) in away. Undoubtedly, Rahane won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant batting performances.
Feels really special – Ajinkya Rahane after winning the Player of the Match award
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Rahane credited his recent Hampshire stint for his batting improvement.
Rahane said, “Feels really special. I thought the first innings was very crucial for us. The partnership between me and Rahul was very crucial. Before this, I played county games for Hampshire and that helped me.”
The English County Championship Divison One 2019 was Ajinkya Rahane’s maiden county experience. However, Rahane mostly struggled in this journey despite managing a century in his debut game. In this season, Rahane played seven games for Hampshire and scored 307 runs in 13 innings with an average of 23.61. Apart from scoring a century, Rahane scored another half-century in this season, while he also managed three ducks.
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We knew if we stay there, the runs would come
Talking about the Antigua Test, Rahane felt that the wicket was damp on the day one.
He added, “I think first day of the game, the wicket was really damp. We knew if we stay there the runs would come. The plan was to bat, bat and bat.”
Ajinkya Rahane dedicated the Player of the Match award to all the people who supported him in the recent tough moments.
Rahane said, “I dedicate this award to the people who have backed me for the last one and a half to two years.”
India and Windies will play the second and final Test of this series on 30th August at Sabina Park (Kingston).