Written by Vaibhav Tripathi
Ajinkya Rahane, top scorer in India’s first innings of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final, felt that India were still very much in the game despite Australia ending day three 296 ahead, with six second-innings wickets in hand. The wickets that India took in the final session gave him hope that the match wasn’t yet a foregone conclusion.
“Australia are slightly ahead in the game,” he told Star Sports after the day’s play. “For us, it’s important to be in the moment, play session by session. First one hour will be crucial tomorrow. We know funny things can happen. Jadeja bowled really well, footmarks helped him against the left-hander. Still feel the wicket will help seam bowlers.”
Rahane was playing his first Test in almost 17 months, and his 89 off 129 balls helped him because only the 13th Indian to cross the 5000-run milestone. With a century in sight, he fell shortly after lunch, as Cameron Green took an incredible reflex catch off Pat Cummins’ bowling.
His innings was all the more praiseworthy because he had been struck a painful blow on his finger after he had made just 17. “Painful but quite manageable,” he said afterwards. “Don’t think it’ll affect batting. Happy with the way I batted. Had a good day. We were looking to get 320-330 but overall, we had a good day. Bowling wise, we bowled well. Everyone chipped in.”
As for the missed chance to score a 13th century, Rahane was philosophical. “That was a really good catch,” he said. “We all know he’s a really good fielder. Has a big reach.”