It’s more than two years since India’s Test vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane last got a Test hundred. The last of it – a 132 in India’s total of 622/9 – came at Colombo in 2017. But the issues with Rahane had perhaps begun long before that.
Before the beginning of India’s extended home season in 2016, Rahane averaged 49 in Test cricket, making 1862 runs. However, since then, his average has dropped to a shocking 34.83.
|
Rahane’s Numbers |
Before September 2016 |
After September 2016 |
|
Runs |
1862 |
1707 |
|
Average |
49 |
34.83 |
At Antigua, on Day one of the first Test, Rahane showed signs of returning to form. With India stuck at 25/3, Rahane walked in to make a compelling 81, combining with KL Rahul and Hanuma Vihari in two effective partnerships.
Rahane had last been in a consistent form in the Caribbean in 2016. The middle-order batsman made a half-century (78*) and a century (108*) in the Caribbean on that tour. But then, the long home season arrived and Rahane struggled, notably against spin. A return to a country where he averages the most in Test cricket is just the boost Rahane needs right now.
|
Rahane in Tests |
|
|
Host country |
Average |
|
Australia |
44 |
|
Bangladesh |
98 |
|
England |
29.26 |
|
India |
34.54 |
|
New Zealand |
54 |
|
South Africa |
53.2 |
|
Sri Lanka |
45.22 |
|
West Indies |
108 |
He justified that at Antigua with an 81 in the first innings but a Test century continues to be a long wait. “As long as I am at the crease, I am thinking about my team, I am not a selfish guy. So yes, I am not too concerned about the hundred as I thought 81 on that wicket was really crucial as we are now in a decent position," said Rahane after his knock.
It isn’t often that Rahane has been able to speak with such authority in recent times in a Test series. But he has often been one of India’s mainstays in overseas conditions. Rahane’s home and away average difference before this tour was the best for any Indian batsman (minimum 500 runs) from the beginning of his debut.
|
Home-away averages since Rahane’s debut (min 500 runs) |
|||
|
Player |
Home average |
Away average |
Average Difference |
|
R Ashwin |
26.16 |
27.82 |
-1.66 |
|
S Dhawan |
34.86 |
39.14 |
-4.28 |
|
RA Jadeja |
37.73 |
29.63 |
8.1 |
|
V Kohli |
67.08 |
50.51 |
16.57 |
|
CA Pujara |
57.94 |
42.7 |
15.24 |
|
AM Rahane |
34.54 |
44.3 |
-9.76 |
|
KL Rahul |
44.25 |
30 |
14.25 |
|
WP Saha |
33.41 |
30.7 |
2.71 |
|
RG Sharma |
85.44 |
26.32 |
59.12 |
|
M Vijay |
43.28 |
34 |
9.28 |
Even as he awaits a Test ton after two years, Rahane will know that consistency and contributing to the team cause is all that matters for now. He has the backing of the management too as he was picked ahead of Rohit Sharma for the first Test, though the same management dropped the ‘Man of the Series’ from India’s last tour - Ravichandran Ashwin, here.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / William West
