Featured: Ajinkya Rahane - The Consistency Machine

In the recent times if there has been that one batsman who has put his hand up every time the Indian team has been in difficult and tricky situations, be it overseas or at home, it has been Ajinkya Rahane. His name is synonymous to consistency for the fans and over a very short span of time he has proved why he is India's most complete batsman currently. Ajinkya Rahane, undoubtedly has arrived to the scene.

Early career

Ajinkya Rahane started his career as a top-order batsman for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy. His second season for Ranji was a harmonious one where his consistent dazzling approach led to the grand milestone of scoring 1000+ runs in the tournament. This was the time when his efforts were put under linear perspective.

This engrossing Ranji season led to his selection in the 2007-2008 Duleep Trophy where he scored 172 runs against an England Lions attack that comprised of few excellent International bowlers like Monty Panesar, Graham Onions and Liam Plunkett. This innings came up after the followers of Mumbai cricket had started to write him off as a fine talent but fit only to make a swift 50. Two years later, he showed them that they were too wrong in drawing their conjectures and conclusions so early.

Image// ABPlive

After continuously churning out runs in domestic cricket and scoring 2 centuries in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia, he finally got his name printed on the sheets of ODI squad for India’s tour of England in 2011. After sitting on the bench and travelling for months with the International team, Rahane got his debut in Delhi in March 2013.

I will fight it out. I will keep working hard

Often being termed as ‘unfit’ material to play for India, Rahane’s grit and determination to ink his name was visible when last year he said something which alluded that he had overcome the debacle.

“My time will come and I don’t want any sympathies. I am still young and age is on my side. My Test debut might have come late but I know I am in the race. I will fight it out. I will keep working hard”, he said.

Home vs. Away

In the 2014 Test series against Australia down under, he scored fifties in Adelaide as well as Brisbane, before striking a thunderous 147 in Melbourne, establishing himself as a vital cog in the batting department.

Image// Indian Express

Rahul Dravid being the mentor of this young lad, he certainly has calmness and patience in his blood. Rahane is never involved in any verbal fights rather, he prefers giving answers with the bat. He has many similarities to that of his mentor Rahul Dravid as in; Rahane’s maiden ton at home came after scoring 4 centuries outside India, so did Dravid’s. He is currently India’s most complete batsman with abilities to play enchanting cricket outside India too. Apart from his batting, Rahane is also known for his agility which makes him one of the best fielders around currently.

India's Most Complete batsman

Image// Zee news

"Ajinkya Rahane is currently the most complete Test batsman in the team. He is brilliant both in attacking and defending. He has done well everywhere, in all the conditions whereas Virat Kohli struggled in England," Gavaskar told NDTV.

In the fourth test of Gandhi-Mandela series against Proteas, Rahane played a gripping and an exceptional first innings scoring a century and leading the scorecard with a lone warrior for his team. However, the second innings was much more resplendent as he went on to score 127, again, digging South Africa’s hopes of winning the match deep down. Later, he was declared as the Man of the Match for these brilliant knocks too.

Being only 27 years old, Rahane promises an inspiring and historic career ahead. If he continues playing this way, no one knows, one day he can end up being one of the greatest batsmen in the world.