India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane smashed his 12th hundred in Test cricket against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. Incidentally, the 32-year-old also became the twelfth Indian captain to score a Test ton.

The Indian middle-order batsman, who is leading the side in the absence of Virat Kohli, also became only the second Indian captain to score a ton at MCG after Vinoo Mankad had registered a hundred in 1948.  

Leading from the front, Rahane notched up his brilliant century to put the visitors in a dominant position in the Boxing Day Test as India ended the second day on 277/5 with an 82-run lead. 

Skipper Rahane and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were batting on 104 and 40 respectively after the end of day's play.

Rahane’s ton has put India in a stupendous position to make a comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 after the visitors had suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat in the first Test of the four-match series in Adelaide.

Twitter erupted as Rahane completed his eighth Test century away from home as former cricketers and fans poured in their wishes for the Mumbaikar’s scintillating innings.

The visitors had bowled Australia out for a paltry 195 runs on the first day of the second Test at the MCG. 

Meanwhile, Australia captain Tim Paine became the fastest wicket-keeper to reach 150 dismissals in Test cricket. 

The Australian skipper achieved the feat in just 33 Test matches, breaking the record of South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who had registered 150 dismissals in 34 matches.

Feature image courtesy: WILLIAM WEST / AFP



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