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Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback to remember for ages. Included in the side in the absence of an injured Shreyas Iyer for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, selectors were criticised for giving importance to Indian Premier League (IPL) form over performance in domestic cricket. But Rahane proved naysayers wrong as he defied all odds and steadied India’s ship to help them deny Australia the power to enforce follow-on with his 89-run knock.
There were times during his innings, Rahane struggled with the finger injury. He batted with bandage over the glove throughout the innings but had to ask for the physio once on Day 3. He continued to bat and even after the end of Day’s play said that the “pain is quite manageable”.
A day after Rahane’s masterclass, his wife Radhika Dhopavkar revealed on Instagram that Rahane refused to get a scan done as he did not want it to interfere with his mindset.
Radhika’s post on Instagram -
“Despite your swollen finger, you refused a scan to protect your mindset and focused on batting, displaying incredible selflessness and determination. With unwavering resilience and commitment, you took your place at the crease, inspiring us all. I'm forever proud of your unwavering team spirit, my resilient partner. Love you endlessly!”
Rahane’s 89-run knock is the fourth-highest individual score by an Indian batter in an ICC tournament final. He shared a 109-run stand with Shardul Thakur, the joint second-highest partnership for India at an ICC final.
Thakur lauded Rahane in the press conference and revealed what they talked about in the middle.
"He is a senior player, he has played a lot and he told me that even if I make a mistake, you come and talk to me and tell me on the spot. Because we are a last recognized pair. So, the more we stay on the pitch, the more the team will benefit and we will be able to run as much as possible," Shardul told the reporters.
“Last time also, when he was going through a lean patch, it didn't seem like he would get out. He was always batting well. And this time, the domestic matches that he has played, the runs that he has made in Ranji Trophy, we saw him batting with that confidence," he added.
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