Ajinkya Rahane delivers in WTC Final with a gritty half-century

India suffered yet another setback in the ongoing World Test Championship Final against Australia after wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat was knocked over by Scott Boland on the very second delivery of the third day. However, senior Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane held his ground from the other end, registering a brilliant half-century on his Test comeback.

Ajinkya Rahane, who was recalled for the WTC Final against Australia after a strong showing in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, reminded fans of his immaculate skills in the middle order. The 35-year-old batter from Mumbai continued from where he left off in the morning session of the third day, despite losing KS Bharat in the first over of the day.

The classy batter took on Australian skipper Pat Cummins, smashing the express pacer for a nonchalant six to register his 26th half-century in Test cricket. Incidentally, it was the first half-century from an Indian batter in WTC Finals. His half-century was supported well by Shardul Thakur from the other end, who rode his luck at the crease in an invaluable partnership for the Indian team.

Rahane, who was handed a reprieve on the second day after Pat Cummins had overstepped, had a really close LBW appeal against him turned down by the on-field umpires. His defiant innings has provided a glimmer of hope to the Indian team, who are in pursuit of Australia’s mammoth first innings total. Meanwhile, the diminutive batter also scaled another milestone during his innings, when he breached the 5000-run mark in Tests for India.