Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, 2nd Test: Ajinkya Rahane scripts these records with 12th Test century
This was Ajinkya Rahane's 12th Test century and 35th in First-Class cricket. He is a prominent cricketer for India across formats, while he has mostly dominated in the longest format. He has also played in the Indian Premier League, currently associated with Delhi Capitals.
FollowIndia's stand-in Test skipper Ajinkya Rahane came up with a splendid performance. On Sunday, he scored a century on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It happened to be his 12th century in the format and 35th in First-Class cricket, while he also scripted some records in the process, as we take a look.
Fifth Indian skipper with Test ton in Australia: With this century, Rahane became only the fifth Indian skipper to score a Test ton in Australia. The other four happen to be Mohammad Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli. Besides, it was the seventh instance of an Indian skipper scoring a Test ton in the same. He is also the 12th Indian skipper to score a Test ton.
Joins Vinno Mankad: With this century, Rahane has become the second Indian batsman to score two Test tons at the MCG. The first one happened to be Vinoo Mankad in 1948.
Fourth Asian to score twin MCG Test tons: Rahane also joined an elite list by becoming the fourth Asian to score twin Test centuries at the MCG. Besides Mankad, the other two happen to be Sadiq Mohammad and Majid Khan.
Fourth Asian skipper to score MCG Test ton: In another significant achievement, Rahane has become the fourth Asian skipper to score a Test century at the MCG. The other three happen to be Hanif Mohammad, Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Yousuf.
A unique first: With this ton, Rahane has also become the first overseas player to score a ton during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Take a bow, Rahane!
Match summary: Winning the toss, Australia elected to bat first, as it was bundled out for 195 on Day 1, with pacer Jasprit Bumrah claiming 4/56. So far, India has scored 277/5, courtesy Rahane's unbeaten 104, as it leads by 82 runs. As for the Australian bowlers, pacers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have claimed two each.
Brief scores: Australia 195 (Labushagne 48; Bumrah 4/56, Ashwin 3/35) trails India 277/5 (Rahane 104*; Starc 2/61, Cummins 2/71) by 82 runs.
