Former India batsman-turned-commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, believes stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane's resilient ton on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne against Australia is "very close" to being acknowledged as his best hundred in the traditional format. 

Rahane concentrated very hard and grind out an extremely crucial 112 to help India take a lead of 131 runs in the first innings after dismissing the Aussies for just 195. 

Read Also: "It was a typical captain's innings," Sunil Gavaskar lauds Ajinkya Rahane's 104*

This was the elegant right-hander's 12th Test hundred but one that Manjrekar felt is right up there with the finest he has scored. 

"I think this is very close to being his best Test hundred. He got his first Test hundred in Wellington but the hundred that comes close to this one is the hundred that he got at Lord's," Manjrekar told Sony Six. 

Manjrekar also noted how Rahane personally, like the Indian team, was under enormous pressure coming into this Test match. 

"Here, India were under pressure 0-1 down, the pitch had something in it and he was the captain, additional responsibility, the quality of the bowling attack, looking at all those parameters, this could Ajinkya Rahane's best Test hundred."

"Terrific innings, it was an innings of quiet resolve. I love people who step up with so much to prove. He has got some critics now but when he gets a hundred, that's what he does, no histrionics, quietly raises the bat."

Australian fast bowling great Glenn McGrath too lauded Rahane's composure and stomach for a fight as he gutsed it out against some high-quality bowling from the hosts. 

"He seems to be very composed, the opposite of Virat Kohli who shows his animated shows his emotions. Each to their won," McGrath said. 

"Interesting comparison, this innings was similar to Kane Williamson... they say he plays the ball late. When you look at Rahane's innings today, he had so much time today, he waited for the bad balls. Solid in defense. Once he got into the innings, he stitched partnership. With Jadeja, he was into his innings. It was a brilliant inning," he added.