The Indian cricket fraternity lauded Ajinkya Rahane-led Indian fightback in the ongoing second Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). After bowling out Australia for 195, India has managed to take a lead of 82 runs in the first innings with 5 wickets in hand at stumps on Day 2.
Shubman Gill (45) and Cheteshwar Pujara (17) started the day for India, Gill fell to Pat Cummins five short of his maiden fifty in Tests. Cummins also got rid of Pujara shortly and for once Australia seemed to be in control.
But then Captain Ajinkya Rahane took control and with Hanuma Vihari (21) and Rishabh Pant (29) added valuable partnerships of 52 and 57 respectively. He finally found an able ally in Ravindra Jadeja, who made 40* at the end of the day’s play as India finished on 277/5 when rains came down heavily.
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However, the day belonged to Ajinkya Rahane as he scored a brilliant 104* in 200 balls with 12 fours and looked aggressive and took on the Australian bowlers if you can say that. His innings proved to play a big role as India got 82 runs ahead by stumps and can look for more runs tomorrow to set up a good game of cricket.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc completed his 250 wickets in Tests, by removing Rishabh Pant, while Pat Cummins picked two wickets and Nathan Lyon got one scalp.
The fraternity of Indian cricketers was ecstatic the way Ajinkya Rahane played in what is definitely a captain’s knock and paid rich tributes to him on Twitter.
Here are the tweets:
