Ajinkya Rahane showcased his class and resilience with a remarkable century during the Ranji Trophy quarter-final between Mumbai and Haryana, held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. With the match reaching its fourth day, Rahane anchored Mumbai's innings, steering his side to a commanding position and setting up the game beautifully for his team.
Rahane's potent 108-run knock came from 160 balls, featuring 13 boundaries. He stepped onto the pitch when Mumbai found themselves at 48 for 2, after losing their openers early on. His experience became invaluable as he stabilized the innings, displaying both caution and aggression. His skillful rotation of strike and adept targeting of the spinners—particularly Jayant Yadav and Nishant Sindhu—allowed the Mumbai innings to flourish.
The former India captain played remarkably alongside Suryakumar Yadav, forming a pivotal 129-run partnership. Yadav's counterattacking style, along with his strategic strokes, helped solidify the team's position, as he scored 70 before departing. Following Yadav's wicket, Rahane found support from Shivam Dube, partnering for 85 more runs which reinforced Mumbai's total.
At the end of Mumbai's second innings, the team had set Haryana a challenging target of 354 runs, concluding their innings at 339. Earlier, Mumbai scored 315 runs in their first outing, whereas Haryana had responded with 301, primarily boosted by captain Ankit Kumar's inspiring 136 runs. Rahane's century, scored at such a decisive moment, shifted momentum squarely in Mumbai's favor.
The pitch at Eden Gardens had flattened, posing considerable challenges for Haryana's bowlers. Despite the early breakthrough by Anuj Thakral, who took important wickets, the rest of Haryana’s attack struggled to contain Mumbai's scoring. This lack of penetration, particularly from pacers Anshul Kamboj and Sumit Kumar, allowed Rahane and his teammates to build their innings effectively.
Notably, this century not only marked Rahane's return to form but also symbolized his 200th first-class match, adding extra significance to his performance. Having accumulated 41 first-class centuries throughout his career, which includes 12 Test centuries, it's clear he remains one of India's more consistent players. This moment reflects not just individual triumph, but could also be pivotal for his prospects of returning to the national team after being absent since July 2023.
Rahane's return to form coincides beautifully with his impressive results from the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, where he scored 469 runs at an average of 58.62. Given this background coupled with his prior performance during the IPL, where he impressed with the Kolkata Knight Riders, there’s growing speculation he could soon find himself back on the international stage.
Cricket analysts have begun to take notice of Rahane's performances, with renowned pundit Sumit Kumar praising his resilience and ability to adapt under pressure. Kumar noted, "Rahane's capacity to perform when it matters the most is one of his greatest strengths." Many believe his current form may finally lead to his much-anticipated return to the national team.
For now, all eyes will be on Rahane as he continues to shine during this Ranji Trophy season. The cricket community remains eager to see if selectors will take notice of his dedication, hard work, and ability to deliver when the stakes are high. If his performance against Haryana is any indication, he may soon find his place back among India’s elite cricketing ranks.
Ajinkya Rahane's century against Haryana is not merely another statistic; it’s both a milestone marking his continued sporting excellence and the potential for resurgence on the international cricketing scene. And as this quarter-final heads toward its thrilling conclusion, one cannot help but appreciate the unexpected twists and turns this match has brought—and the indomitable spirit of Ajinkya Rahane.