CHENNAI: The summer of 2014 saw India finally end their sorry run of 14 successive overseas Test losses. And history will show that Ajinkya Rahane was the man who stood up at the spiritual home of cricket, Lord’s, with a match-winning 103.
It was only his seventh Test and on a green-tinged pitch, he proved that he belonged on the elite stage. While the world expected Rahane to blossom into an all-format star, it has been a topsy- turvy ride, to say the least, for the 30-year-old.
He lost his place in the limitedover scheme of things, and was also ignored for the first two Tests against South Africa in their den. The right-hander also did not have the best of time during India’s great home showing.
In his last eight Tests, he averages 18.75, a huge drop from his career average of 43.17. He has also crossed fifty only once. The interesting thing about Rahane is that he is one of those rare players who has an average that’s higher outside the subcontinent, where it goes over 50; a stat that bodes well for India. In the last English tour, Rahane emerged with his pride intact, as he accumulated 299 runs in five Tests at an average of 33.2. The Test vice-captain has worked tirelessly on his game during the time afforded to him after his exclusion from the ODI and T20 squads for England.
He had even put up videos of him practicing on social media. With long-time coach Pravin Amre, he tried to replicate the swing on offer in England by playing with a swing ball. Red on one side and white on the other, it is made of plastic and moves prodigiously through the air. Rahane played against England Lions for India A, notching up 49 and 48 in two innings. He also got a chance to interact with Rahul Dravid. Even though he didn’t set the stage alight in India’s last practice tie, the Mumbai cricketer has definitely acclimatised to the conditions there.
“This break has really proved to be blessing in disguise. I could see the determination in him. He has really taken up the challenge of playing against England. He has worked on his technique, and we did minor fine-tuning. We worked on playing the ball as late as possible and his thorough preparation will stand him in good stead,” Amre told Express. Rahane’s importance to India cannot be understated. He is the glue that holds their batting spine together. His repertoire of shots and technical abilities allows him to hold fort, or to go on the offensive when his side needs runs.
Rahane has walked in on numerous occasions when the toporder has failed, and he has had to take the team to a respectable total. He also has had to guide the lower order on a number of occasions, as against South Africa in the third Test or even during his Lord’s century. “He is a warrior; a complete team man. He always puts the team first. His knock against Proteas gave him confidence during a difficult phase. He has the added responsibility of being vicecaptain, a role he relishes. He is a leader — not as vocal as Virat Kohli — who can guide the lowerorder. He is a great puller and hooker, which means the strikerate will always be positive,” Amre added.
With all the focus on Kohli, Rahane can go about his job in the manner he pleases. He knows he can score in the most difficult of conditions, as well as under pressure. Even though he has an apparent weakness against spin, the hosts do not boast of worldclass tweakers. Mentally, Jinks, as he is popularly called, is in a better place. He is fresh from the break and there is no need for him to change gears after coming off limitedover games. The team management have informed him of his importance to the team in the long format. He knows his role in the scheme of things. England is a place which can make or break a career. Maybe, Rahane can resurrect his in the country where it all started.
ayantan@newindianexpress.com