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Ajinkya Rahane, the Mumbai captain, played a pivotal role in his team's effort against Haryana in the ongoing Ranji Trophy quarter-final match. Held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Rahane's century on the fourth day of the match was nothing short of exceptional. His brilliant 108-run knock in Mumbai's second innings helped the team set a daunting target for Haryana.
Mumbai Sets a Challenging Target with Rahane’s Century
With Mumbai’s second-innings total of 339 runs, they have put Haryana in a difficult position, needing 354 runs to win the match. Rahane’s century came at a crucial time, as his partnership with Suryakumar Yadav stabilized the innings. Their 129-run partnership was the highlight of Mumbai's second innings. However, after Suryakumar’s dismissal at 70 runs, Mumbai's middle order failed to capitalize further, and no other batsman could contribute significantly. Despite this, Rahane’s leadership and batting skills were crucial in taking the team to a strong position.
A Milestone Century in Rahane’s 200th First-Class Match
This century holds extra significance as it marks Ajinkya Rahane’s 200th first-class match. Rahane, who has accumulated 41 first-class centuries over his career, including 12 Test centuries, showed his prowess once again with this crucial knock. It was Rahane's first century of the season, but it came in an important match, demonstrating his ability to deliver under pressure.
Rahane's Form and Its Impact on National Selection
Ajinkya Rahane’s strong performance in domestic cricket, especially in the current Ranji Trophy season, could bring him back into the limelight for national selection. Having been absent from the national team since July 2023, this century could be a significant factor in his future in international cricket. Rahane’s consistency, coupled with his recent impressive run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, where he scored 469 runs at an average of 58.62, makes him a strong contender for a spot in the national squad.
Rahane's IPL Impact and Future Prospects
Apart from his success in domestic cricket, Rahane has also made a notable impact in the IPL, particularly with his performance last season. This earned him a place in India’s Test team. This year, Rahane will be playing for Kolkata Knight Riders, which will give him another platform to showcase his skills and further improve his chances of national selection.
Sumit Kumar’s Take on Rahane’s Resilience
Sumit Kumar, a well-known cricket analyst, has often praised Rahane’s resilience in domestic cricket. According to Sumit Kumar, Rahane’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and perform under pressure is one of his greatest strengths. As Rahane continues to shine in domestic cricket, many, including Sumit Kumar, believe that his return to the national team is just a matter of time.
Conclusion
Ajinkya Rahane’s century in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Haryana is more than just a match-winning performance. It is a testament to his resilience and consistency in domestic cricket. As Rahane continues to impress, cricket enthusiasts and analysts, including Sumit Kumar, are eager to see whether the selectors will reward his hard work with a return to the national team.
