His Test career on the line, beleaguered Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane put together a much-needed century to settle himself in India as he led Mumbai to 263 for three against Saurashtra in their Ranji Trophy opener in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Mumbai chose to bat after winning the toss and was also boosted by Sarfaraz Khan’s unbeaten 121 from 219 balls on the first day of their elite Group D match. However, the focus was firmly on Rahane who finished the day with an unbeaten 108 from 250 deliveries.
Rahane, 33, who had a mediocre test run against South Africa in the recently concluded Rainbow Nation tour, reached his ton in 212 balls, hitting 14 fours and 2 sixes along the way.
The senior batter had scored only 136 runs in six innings in India’s 1-2 loss in the Test series in South Africa earlier this year.
With Test series against Sri Lanka to be played from the first week of March after the T20s from 24th February, this century will give the confidence he needs and can ensure he maintains his place in the Indian team.
Another struggling veteran from India, Cheteshwar Pujara, who will be playing against Rahane in this match, will also be looking forward to taking a big punch in the game to ensure the national selectors keep him for the series against Sri Lanka .
With new ball bowlers Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya doing well, Mumbai ran into trouble early on, losing openers Aakarshit Gomel (8) and Prithvi Shaw (1) with just 22 runs on the board.
Chirag Jani on the first substitution had Sachin Yadav caught for the wicket while Mumbai slid to 44 for three.
However, Saurashtra then failed to break through again as Rahane and Khan added 219 runs for the fourth wicket to put their side in a comfortable position at stumps.
Rahane took his time before starting free play and reached his 36th first-class hundred in 212 balls.
The former India Test vice-captain got to 99 with a big six against left arm spinner Dharmandrasinh Jadeja, before hitting the three-digit mark with a single.
promoted
Rahane’s 479 test drives in 2021 averaged 20.82, leading to his resignation from the post of vice-captain ahead of the South Africa tour.
Short scores: Mumbai: 263/3 in 87 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 108 at bat, Sarfaraz Khan 121 at bat) vs Saurashtra. Goa 181 all-out in 64 overs (Eknath Kerkar 76; Basant Mohanty 3/27) vs Odisha 23/3 in 13.2 overs (Lakshay Garg 2/9).
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