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Kohli-Rahane Share Warm Hug in First Meeting Since Kohli’s Test Retirement | Watch

May 15, 2025, 9:53 pm

Virat Kohli stepped down from Tests in a decision that came earlier this week, and he’ll return to the pitch on May 17 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru host the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kohli and Rahane Reunion During Practice Session

On Thursday, Kohli attended the practice session and hugged Ajinkya Rahane, KKR captain; the two shared the dressing room together for several years in their Indian Test team days, and formed several fond memory partnerships, Rahane being India’s long-standing no.5 batter. The Mumbai batter lost his spot in the Test team in 2023.

Rahane and Kohli stepped out to bat in pairs in the nets and also shared a conversation during each other’s respective teams’ practice at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Their conversation ended with a side hug that brought smiles on both.

The #TATAIPL2025 action is back!

? Location: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/1OitOOMd41

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 15, 2025

IPL Resumes After a Weeklong Pause Amid Tensions

The reunion followed days of a strained week for Indian cricket and the IPL itself, which had been put on hold for seven days following increasing cross-border tensions with Pakistan. With a ceasefire established and military operations toned down, the BCCI declared the resumption of the league, much to the relief of franchises and fans.

Kohli’s sudden announcement on Monday sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Having been synonymous with India’s Test renaissance over the last decade, Kohli made the call to step away from red-ball cricket after 123 Tests, 9230 runs, and 30 centuries.

Rahane Pays Tribute to Kohli on Instagram

Rahane, who played a crucial supporting role in many of Kohli’s finest Test victories, took to Instagram to pay tribute to Kohli. “It’s been a special journey sharing the field with you, @virat.kohli. So many great memories and partnerships together. Congratulations on an amazing Test career!” he wrote on an Instagram story.

New Era Dawns in Indian Test Cricket

Kohli’s was not the sole Test retirement in Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma also walked away from Tests last week, and with Ravichandran Ashwin retiring last year, the upcoming five-match Test series in England will be the first in more than a decade without any of the dominant trio.

The pair’s absence will create a huge gap in run-scoring lineage and leadership, and the public is still learning to cope with the new times ahead.

Ajinkya Rahane Blames Batting Collapse for KKR’s IPL 2025 Loss to MI

April 1, 2025, 2:25 pm

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane commented on KKR’s loss to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 12th Indian Premier League 2025 match. During the post-match presentation, Rahane blamed the loss on a team batting failure, citing a lack of partnerships and inability to make the most of a good batting wicket. He felt that a total of 180-190 would have been possible, but the team lost too many wickets early on and could not recover. He also credits the bowlers for their efforts despite the low score.

Ajinkya Rahane Highlights Batting Struggles

“Collective batting failure. It was a good wicket to bat on as I said during the toss. 180-190 would have been good on this wicket. It has a very good bounce. You sometimes need to use the pace and bounce. We got to learn quickly from this game. Couldn’t do anything with the ball. They tried their level best. But not much runs on the board. We kept on losing wickets. Four wickets in the powerplay. It was hard to consolidate and get that total on the board. You need that partnership going. You need one batsman to stick till the end,” Rahane stated in the post-match presentation.

Mumbai Indians Clinches Eight-Wicket Victory

Mumbai Indians (MI) won by eight wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the current IPL 2025 on Monday at the Wankhade stadium, Mumbai. Kolkata Knight Riders were bowled out for 116 in the 17th over, thanks to Mumbai Indians left-arm seamer Ashwani Kumar, who created history as the first Indian bowler to take a four-wicket haul on IPL debut.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost wickets at regular intervals, and they never had any substantial partnerships throughout the entire innings. While bowling, only Andre Russell was able to take two wickets, removing Rohit Sharma and Will Jacks, while the rest of the Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers remained wicketless in the second innings. Mumbai Indians (MI) pursued 117 in the 13th over with wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton being the highest scorer of MI in the second innings with 62 runs off 41 balls, comprising 4 fours and 5 sixes.

Unbelievable! KKR Bus Leaves Without Rahane—Was It a Prank or a Blunder? | Watch

March 22, 2025, 2:41 pm

Champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will play against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first match of IPL 2025 on Saturday at Eden Gardens. But the biggest clash faces a major threat, as rain forecasts predict an 80% chance of precipitation, risking delays or even abandonment.

Adding to the drama, the two teams will have new captains this year. Ajinkya Rahane will captain KKR, and RCB has put the captaincy with Rajat Patidar. Fans cannot wait to find out how the two new leaders take their sides into the new IPL season.

Ajinkya Rahane’s Viral Video Sparks Buzz

A pre-match viral video of KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane has stolen the limelight on social media. The clip purportedly indicates Rahane attempting to catch up with the team bus with a bat in his hand as it departs for practice. Even though the veracity of the video is still to be proven, it has provided an unintended shot of humor to the pre-match hype.

KKR team bus leaving without their captain Rahane ?? pic.twitter.com/j9GjlqyKcl

— Pick-up Shot (@96ShreyasIyer) March 21, 2025

IMD Declares Orange Alert for Kolkata

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced an “orange alert” for Kolkata, predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds up to Saturday. This follows after periodic showers ruined KKR’s inter-squad practice match, truncating it after one innings. Rain disrupted practice sessions earlier in the week, raising concerns about the playing conditions for the big match.

Sourav Ganguly Weighs In on IPL 2025 Contenders

Former KKR skipper Sourav Ganguly gave his views on the upcoming season, insisting that it is too early to make any suggestion about which teams will rule IPL 2025.

“It is too early to comment. The tournament is too long and competitive. All teams are balanced,” Ganguly said in a media interaction.

KKR vs RCB: Full Squads

Kolkata Knight Riders Squad

Quinton de Kock (w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Manish Pandey, Moeen Ali, Anrich Nortje, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy, Mayank Markande, Chetan Sakariya, Luvnith Sisodia.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad

Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (w), Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Swapnil Singh, Lungi Ngidi, Romario Shepherd, Manoj Bhandage, Rasikh Dar Salam, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Suyash Sharma, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh.

IPL 2025: Rahane-Pandit Duo Holds the Key to KKR’s Title Defense

March 18, 2025, 7:22 pm

Ajinkya Rahane, who was not even a first-choice option at the beginning, has been entrusted with the captaincy of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The champions purchased Rahane at his minimum price in the fast-tracked round of the auction, and though he may not have been an outright starter, he will now lead from the front. The experienced batsman will stabilize the top order, and then there is the destructive batting talent of Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Ramandeep Singh.

Knowledge of KKR and Chandrakant Pandit

Despite switching teams from Chennai Super Kings to KKR, Rahane brings prior experience with the franchise, having been part of the squad in 2022. This familiarity, coupled with his past association with head coach Chandrakant Pandit from Mumbai’s domestic cricket setup, could work in his favor. KKR will be looking to avoid a post-title slump and remain competitive in the league.

“Chandu sir and I, we used to work together when Chandu sir was with Mumbai team, and I know his ways. I mean, he’s, he’s very disciplined, very focused, and he knows how to bring out the best in every individual,” Rahane said during a KKR press conference last Thursday.

Changes in Leadership and Support Staff

Last year, the leadership at KKR was provided by Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate. With Gambhir joining the coaching ranks of the Indian team now, KKR has recruited Dwayne Bravo and Ottis Gibson as the top backroom personnel. Though the leadership has altered, the team is otherwise intact. Rahane’s flexibility to absorb newer members and fit them into the team will be instrumental in helping KKR retain their title.

“So for me, it’s always about having that good communication with our players, giving them that freedom on the field to express themselves and try and understand each other,” Rahane added.

Squad Composition and Key Players

KKR invested heavily in Venkatesh Iyer, a reward for his performances in last season’s qualifiers and final. He will inherit the No. 4 spot that was held by Shreyas Iyer, last season’s IPL champion captain. Quinton de Kock comes in to replace Phil Salt as wicketkeeper-batsman, with pace additions Spencer Johnson and Anrich Nortje beefing up the side following Mitchell Starc’s departure.

Questions remain regarding Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s role and Sunil Narine’s batting position. Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy, both fresh off impactful international seasons, will be in the spotlight, particularly Rana, following a standout year.

Tactical Adjustments and Leadership Challenges

If Rahane is to bat at the top, KKR may rethink Narine’s position in the order. Vaibhav Arora, Nortje, and Rana’s death overs performances, and Rahane’s form himself, will go a long way in deciding KKR’s quest. Though the team looks capable of fighting it out for a playoff position, how effective the new leadership unit is continues to be a decisive factor.

KKR Team for IPL 2025

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rovman Powell, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Ramandeep Singh, Mayank Markande, Vaibhav Arora, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodiya, Chetan Sakariya

Why KKR Appointed Ajinkya Rahane as Captain Over Venkatesh Iyer for IPL 2025 | TDG Explainer

March 13, 2025, 5:53 pm

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have taken a strategic move by naming Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for IPL 2025. The team, which had won the IPL 2024 title under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, was left with a leadership void after he joined the mega auction and was retained by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.

Though KKR had some candidates for the captaincy role in mind, such as Venkatesh Iyer, they chose to make Rahane their skipper. Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, reasoned that though they appreciate the abilities of Iyer, the pressure of captaincy in the IPL is tremendous, and it takes experience and maturity to perform well in the role.

“IPL is a very demanding tournament. We rate very highly Venkatesh Iyer, but simultaneously, it [captaincy] is demanding on a young player. We have observed many individuals having many issues with it as they move ahead,” Mysore said to ESPNcricinfo.

This move has ignited debates among cricket experts and cricket aficionados regarding KKR’s leadership approach and how it will affect the team’s performance during IPL 2025.

KKR’s Leadership Journey: From Shreyas Iyer to Ajinkya Rahane

Shreyas Iyer’s Exit and Its Effect

Shreyas Iyer was instrumental in KKR’s victory in IPL 2024. With him as captain, the team won their third IPL championship, demonstrating powerful performances throughout the season. But before the IPL 2025 mega auction, Iyer chose to rejoin the bidding pool, and Punjab Kings signed him for ₹26.75 crore, making him one of the costliest players in IPL history. His exit left KKR without a captain, and they had to search for a new leader.

Rahane’s Unexpected Return to KKR

Ajinkya Rahane’s comeback to KKR was not in the cards. He remained unsold in the first round of the IPL 2025 auction, but KKR bought him for his base price of ₹1.5 crore during the recall process. This is his second time with KKR, having been with them earlier in IPL 2022. Although he had played just seven games in that season, his experience and leadership skills made him a desirable candidate for captaincy in IPL 2025.

What This Implications for KKR in IPL 2025

1. Leadership Stability

KKR will benefit from having a seasoned leader like Rahane in charge. His composed demeanor will play a pivotal role in tackling pressure situations.

2. Independence for Venkatesh Iyer to Concentrate on Performance

Without the additional pressure of captaincy, Venkatesh Iyer can concentrate on his batting and all-round performance, which KKR hopes will be worth their huge investment in him.

3. Experienced Captaincy in a Competitive Season of IPL

IPL 2025 will be highly competitive, with star players being heavily invested in by franchises. KKR’s selection of Rahane ensures that they have an experienced captain who understands the dynamics of the tournament.

How Experts and Fans Are Responding

Experts and fans of cricket have varying responses to KKR’s leadership decision.

Most analysts consider Rahane’s leadership experience to provide a calm and mature feel to the team. His former IPL and international captaincy experience render him a sure bet.

Ajinkya Rahane is a highly calm leader. He is a master of taking pressure, and that will help KKR during important matches.” A few KKR supporters are of the opinion that the team should have taken a chance on Venkatesh Iyer to lead, given the franchise’s investment in him.

Some others believe that a player such as Andre Russell or Sunil Narine, who have played for KKR for a few years, could have been considered.

Nevertheless, the majority of them believe that Rahane’s experience makes him the safest bet.

Rahane’s IPL Career: A Veteran’s Journey

Ajinkya Rahane has been with the IPL since its launch in 2008 and has represented several franchises, including:

Mumbai Indians (2008-2010)
Rajasthan Royals (2011-2015, 2018-2019)
Rising Pune Supergiants (2016-2017)
Delhi Capitals (2020-2021)
Kolkata Knight Riders (2022, 2025-Present)
Chennai Super Kings (2023-2024)

Rahane has always performed as a top-order bat and has been prominent for his classy strokes. His exposure to multiple teams extends his leadership credentials, and he is an asset worth having for KKR.

KKR’s decision to appoint Ajinkya Rahane as their IPL 2025 captain is a rational one in the interest of stability and achieving the best from the players. While Venkatesh Iyer is a reliable member of their squad, the franchise has preferred giving him time to focus on his game rather than putting excessive pressure on his shoulders.

With Rahane’s vast experience, calm head, and tried and tested leadership, KKR plans to take the momentum from their IPL 2024 success and launch a sturdy title defense of IPL 2025.

Over the course of the season, all eyes will be on Rahane to find out if he can lead KKR to their second IPL championship.

Ajinkya Rahane Takes Over KKR Captaincy, Venkatesh Iyer Named Vice-Captain

March 3, 2025, 4:06 pm

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their skipper for the next Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The franchise has also picked Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain of the team in a bid to tighten up their leadership group before the title defense.

It’s a privilege to be invited to captain KKR, one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. I believe we have a great and well-balanced team. I’m looking forward to working with all the players and taking up the challenge of defending the title,” Rahane said in an official statement on Monday.

KKR retained Rahane at a price of INR 1.5 crore in the massive auction, whereas Venkatesh Iyer, a central player of the franchise, was bought at an astronomical INR 23.75 crore.

Ajinkya Rahane and Iyer as Captains

KKR CEO Venky Mysore was optimistic about the new captains. “We are thrilled to have a person like Ajinkya Rahane, who has experience and maturity as a leader. Also, Venkatesh Iyer has been a franchise player for KKR and possesses a lot of leadership traits. We are sure that they will gel well as we begin the defense of our title.”

Ahead of the auction, KKR let go of Shreyas Iyer, who was the captain of the team to IPL 2024 titles. The franchise tried to re-sign him but Punjab Kings managed to get him. Shreyas will now captain Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.

KKR’s IPL 2025 Opener Against RCB

KKR will begin their IPL 2025 journey against Rajat Patidar-captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22. RCB recently appointed Patidar as their new captain for the upcoming season.

KKR Squad Bolstered With Important Retentions and Acquisitions

Before the auction, KKR kept core players like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Ramandeep Singh. Harshit and Ramandeep, the uncapped players, were kept because they had not made their India debut by October 31, 2024.

KKR picked up major signings during the auction, inking Quinton de Kock, Rovman Powell, Moeen Ali, Spencer Johnson, Anrich Nortje, and Umran Malik.

KKR Squad for IPL 2025

Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anrich Nortje, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Ajinkya Rahane, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Umran Malik.

Ajinkya Rahane Recalled to Bat, Shardul Thakur Sent Back: Umpires’ Controversial Decision Ignites Debate

January 24, 2025, 6:47 pm

The umpiring standards in domestic cricket were scrutinized once more during the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match between Mumbai and Jammu and Kashmir at the BKC ground in Mumbai. In an unusual sequence of events, Mumbai’s captain Ajinkya Rahane was called back onto the field nearly five minutes after being dismissed, as the third umpire revealed that the bowler had overstepped.

This incident took place in the 25th over of Mumbai’s second innings on day two. J&K pacer Umar Nazir bowled a short delivery that caught Rahane off guard. Rahane attempted a pull shot but only managed to glove the ball to the wicketkeeper. After the dismissal, Rahane made his way to the dressing room, and Shardul Thakur was called in to bat. However, the umpires were still reviewing the no-ball.

After some delay, the third umpire confirmed that Nazir had overstepped, prompting the on-field umpires to instruct Thakur to return to the dressing room and bring Rahane back to the crease. When Rahane returned, the umpires tried to explain the situation, but Rahane couldn’t hear them properly.

As per the laws of the game, an umpire must intervene if a batter leaves the field after a misunderstanding about being out. In such cases, the batter can be recalled until the next ball is bowled, unless it’s the final wicket of the innings.

Rahane, however, was dismissed in Nazir’s next over, caught brilliantly at mid-off by J&K captain Paras Dogra. Nazir bowled a full delivery just outside the off stump, and Rahane attempted an uppish drive, only for Dogra to dive and take a stunning one-handed catch.

Before this, there were other umpiring controversies, including a questionable decision to give Shreyas Iyer out after a potential edge to the keeper, despite his protests. Rahane, at the non-striker’s end, was seen discussing the decision with the umpires.

Meanwhile, J&K continued to dominate the match, dismissing Mumbai’s star-studded batting lineup, including Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Rahane, and Shivam Dube, none of whom managed a substantial score.

LS Polls 2024: Indian Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane And Wife Cast Votes In Mumbai

May 20, 2024, 12:33 pm

Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and his spouse exercised their voting rights on Monday during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Mumbai. Rahane shared a photo on social media, displaying their inked fingers after casting their votes, with the caption, “We did our duty. Have you?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane)

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar also participated as an early voter in Mumbai, emphasizing the importance of voting for the nation’s development and strength. After voting, Kumar expressed his belief that India should vote for what they consider right and anticipated a good voter turnout.

Actor Randeep Hooda encouraged citizens to participate in the democratic process, stating, “In a democracy, through voting, you have the right to decide your future and that of your country. You must vote…Participate in this festival of democracy and vote.”

The ongoing fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections is significant, with elections in 6 Lok Sabha seats of Mumbai and several other constituencies in Maharashtra. The voting process, spanning seven phases from April 19 to June 1, involves over 8.95 crore voters deciding the fate of 695 candidates. Extensive arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and secure voting experience across the 94,732 polling stations.

RAHANE IS BRAVE, SMART AND HAS TEAM’S RESPECT: IAN CHAPPELL

January 4, 2021, 3:36 am

MELBOURNE: Ajinkya Rahane is brave, smart, calm and has the respect of his team, former Australia skipper Ian Chappell has said while praising India’s stand-in Test captain. “It was no surprise that Ajinkya Rahane captained India flawlessly at the MCG; anyone who saw him in charge in Dharamsala in 2017 would have recognised a man born to lead cricket teams,” Chappell wrote in a column for ESPNcricinfo. “There were a lot of similarities between that 2017 match and the one at the MCG. Firstly, it was between the same two highly competitive rivals, then there was the valuable first-innings lower-order contribution from Ravindra Jadeja, and finally Rahane aggressively accumulating the required runs in a nervy pursuit of a moderate victory total,” Chappell wrote. Rahane scored a brilliant century in the first innings of the MCG Test and then scored unbeaten 27 as India chased down the 70-run target with eight wickets in hand.

SHASTRI TERMS RAHANE SHREWD & CALM LEADER

December 30, 2020, 5:16 am

MELBOURNE: Ajinkya Rahane is a very shrewd, calm leader and has a good understanding of the game, said India coach Ravi Shastri after his team defeated Australia by eight wickets in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday. Shastri also termed Rahane’s first-innings knock of 112 as the turning point of the match. “He is a very shrewd leader, he has a good understanding of the game and is a good reader of the game. I thought his calm composure out there in the middle helped the debutants — Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill — in the middle and helped the bowlers as well.

DEBUTANTS GILL AND SIRAJ SHOWED CHARACTER: RAHANE

December 30, 2020, 5:11 am

MELBOURNE: India skipper Ajinkya Rahane praised the team’s debutants, opener Shubman Gill and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj following the eight-wicket win over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday that helped the tourists level the four-Test series 1-1. “Really proud of all the players. Played really well. Want to give credit to the debutants Siraj and Gill, the character they showed after the Adelaide loss was great to see. Character was important for us, especially after losing Umesh in the second innings,” said Rahane, who is standing in as captain for regular skipper Virat Kohli.

RAHANE’S TON ONE OF THE BEST OPPONENT CAPTAIN’S KNOCKS: SHANE WARNE

December 29, 2020, 5:11 am

Melbourne: India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane hit a valiant hundred on Sunday in the Boxing Day Test against Australia and spin wizard Shane Warne has no hesitation in calling it one of the best knocks by an opposition captain on Australian soil. “One of the best oppositions captains knock on Aussie shores I reckon! Well played @ajinkyarahane88,” Warne tweeted. Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar had earlier said that Rahane’s gritty hundred was one of the most important centuries in the history of Indian cricket.

CALM RAHANE IS AGGRESSIVE IN CAPTAINCY TACTICS: GAVASKAR

December 28, 2020, 5:31 am

MELBOURNE: India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane could be laidback in his body language but he is aggressive with his tactics, said former India skipper and opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar on Sunday. “Rahane is having a good Test match. He is playing a captain’s innings, applying himself. Everyone has been complimentary about his captaincy, his field placements and bowling changes. I agree with them. He is calm and cool,” said Gavaskar to ABC Sport. “Virat (Kohli) is a lot more passionate and in your face of the opposition. Rahane is little more laidback and is calm. He lacks aggression in his body language but not in his tactics. He is quite aggressive with his tactics as captain. We saw that (aggression in field placings) with the leg-gully, slip and forward short leg (during Australia’s first innings on Saturday),” added Gavaskar.

RAHANE, JADEJA MAY HAVE TAKEN GAME AWAY: SACHIN

December 28, 2020, 5:29 am

MELBOURNE: In a series of tweets, Sachin Tendulkar, 47, praised Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy and the efforts of the bowlers and debutant Shubman Gill. “Two good days for India in the 2nd Test. @Jaspritbumrah93, @ashwinravi99 & Mohammed Siraj bowled really well and continued to keep the pressure on to restrict Australia to a low total. Well done by the stand-in captain Ajinkya, who made some real smart bowling changes coupled…with good field placements,” Tendulkar tweeted. “@RealShubmanGill got off to a good start on debut with some good shots and looked comfortable at the crease. @ajinkyarahane88 and @imjadeja have stitched a very crucial partnership which may just take the game away from Australia. Last but not least, fantastic knock by @ajinkyarahane88 who not only looked solid in his defence but was also looking to play attacking shots. He kept the momentum going really well,” said Tendulkar.

ABSOLUTELY TOP KNOCK FROM RAHANE: VIRAT KOHLI

December 28, 2020, 5:28 am

MELBOURNE: Virat Kohli was all praise for Ajinkya Rahane on Sunday after the latter’s 12th Test century put India in a commanding position in the second Test against Australia here. Rahane ended the second day of the Boxing Day Test on 104 off 200 balls, helping India take a lead of 82 runs. “Another great day for us. Proper test cricket at its best. Absolutely top knock from Jinks @ajinkyarahane88,” Kohli tweeted after the end of the day’s play. Rahane is captain of the Indian team for the rest of their four-match series in Australia as Kohli returned to India for the birth of his first child after the first Test. He came in at no. 4, the position that Kohli occupies in India’s Test batting lineup, and shared partnerships of 52 and 57 with Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant, respectively. Ravindra Jadeja then dropped anchor and the pair will start the third day on a partnership of 104. Jadeja himself ended the day unbeaten on 40.

Rahane scores a ton, helps India take control of 2nd Test

December 28, 2020, 5:17 am

MELBOURNE: India skipper Ajinkya Rahane played a captain’s knock to score his 12th Test century and help India take control of the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. India ended the second day’s play, comfortably placed at 277/5, and 82 runs ahead of the hosts Aussies who were bowled out for 195 in the first innings on Saturday.

Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his century during the second Test match between India and Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. (ANI Photo)

Rahane was unbeaten on 104 while all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was with him at the crease on 40, the two having added an unbeaten 104 for the sixth wicket.

The India stand-in skipper shared half-century partnerships with Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant to rescue India after they were reduced to 64 for three in the first session.

Resuming day two from 36/1, Gill and Pujara weathered the storm during the first hour of the play. However, their 61-run partnership was ended by Cummins as Gill (45) fell short of his maiden Test half-century. Cummins made sure Australia didn’t lose any momentum as he sent back Pujara (17) in his next over. Skipper Tim Paine took a superb one-handed catch to leave India at 64/3.

Rahane and Vihari rebuilt the Indian innings after the double strike by Cummins. The duo ensured that the hosts did not lose any more wickets before the end of the first session. Both batters then started the second session after weathering the storm before lunch. The duo had steadied India’s ship before Nathan Lyon sent Vihari (21) back when the batsman tried to sweep.

Rishabh Pant then joined Rahane at the crease and the duo dominated the Australian bowlers in the second session. Pant scored runs at a strike rate of 72.50 while Rahane welcomed Cummins with a boundary in his fresh spell. However, Mitchell Starc ended Pant’s (29) innings in the 60th over of the innings.

At the tea break, India’s score read 189/5 with Ravindra Jadeja and Rahane at the crease. After the break, both Jadeja and Rahane looked reasonably comfortable at the crease and the duo ensured that the visitors also take the lead in the first innings.

The final session of the day saw Rahane bringing up his 12th century and he along with Jadeja ensured that the side does not lose any wickets in the final session of day two. In the final 2.5 hours of day two, India managed to score 88 runs, and the visitors extended their lead to 82 over hosts Australia. Rahane’s catch was dropped by Steve Smith and Travis Head off the bowling of Starc and Australia had to pay for the two misses dearly.

On day one, India had bundled out Australia for 195 as Jasprit Bumrah scalped four wickets while Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets.

Brief Scores: Australia 195 vs India 277/5 (Ajinkya Rahane 104*, Ravindra Jadeja 40*; Mitchell Starc 2-60).

KOHLI, RAHANE WICKETS GIVE AUSTRALIA AN ADVANTAGE: PUJARA

December 18, 2020, 5:25 am

ADELIADE: Cheteshwar Pujara on Thursday admitted that three quick wickets towards the end of the first day of the first Test has given Australia a ‘little bit of advantage’ but added that India are still in a decent position. He hoped that the tail will wag on the second day and get them to a total between 275 and 350, which will be enough to put pressure on Australia. India were cruising at 188 for three before losing three wickets for 18 runs to end Day One of the day-night Test at 233 for six. “We got into a very good position against Australia (even) after losing couple of early wickets. Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane – they were both crucial wickets but I still feel that we are just six down.” The Saurashtra batsman also said that the onus now is on the lower order to bat in the morning and gets some runs

Australia take Day 1 honours as India see last-minute collapse

December 18, 2020, 5:11 am

Australia bounced back on the first day of the first Test against India on Thursday by picking three late wickets, including those of captain Virat Kohli (74), Ajinkya Rahane (42) and Hanuma Vihari (16) in just over six overs for 18 runs to leave their opponents on 233 for six at stumps.

The match is a day-night fixture played with a pink ball at the Adelaide Oval.

The Aussies were fortunate to get a run-out with Kohli caught out of crease at the non-striker’s end after Rahane pulled back an erroneous call for a run. Josh Hazlewood swooped on the ball at cover and sent it back to off-spinner Nathan Lyon who whipped the bails off to send Kohli back. The captain’s dismissal was a big jolt in the 77th over as with new pink ball just three overs away. Kohli and his deputy Rahane added 88 for the fourth wicket and taken the team to 188.

Soon after Kohli’s dismissal, Australia called for the second new ball and got rid of Rahane, leg-before to Mitchell Starc, and Hanuma Vihari who was leg-before to Hazelwood.

Also Read: Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane WICKETS GIVE AUSTRALIA AN ADVANTAGE: Cheteshwar Pujara

India, at 206 for six looked like getting bowled out before stumps. However, R Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha added 27 in 34 balls for the seventh wicket and remained unbeaten at the end of the day.

Earlier, India had lost ace batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in the second session after he had revived the innings alongside Kohli.

With India losing both their openers cheaply, Pujara and Kohli shared a 68-run partnership to help the visitors reach the 100-run mark. However, just when the situation seemed to be easing for India, Pujara was caught at leg-slip by Marnus Labuschagne off Lyon and went back to the dressing room after scoring 43 runs off 160 balls.

At the end of second session on Thursday, India had scored 107/3 after batting for 55 overs — scoring 66 runs in 30 overs in the second session.

India didn’t get off to a good start in their innings after Kohli won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Prithvi Shaw, who has been picked in the playing XI despite his poor form in the warm-up games, got out on the second delivery of the first over bowled by left-arm quick Mitchell Starc for a duck. Starc’s swinging delivery got the inside edge of Shaw’s bat and hit the stumps.

Pujara and Mayank Agarwal then tried to steady the ship and made sure the visitors didn’t lose any further wickets in the initial overs. Both played cautiously and scored runs rather slowly as the Australia pacers bowled tight lines and lengths.

It was in the 19th over that Cummins got the second breakthrough for the hosts as Agarwal got bowled after scoring 17 runs in the 40 deliveries he faced during his stay.

Skipper Kohli, who came in next, then took the Indian innings forward.

Brief scores: India 233/6 in 89 overs (Virat Kohli 74, Cheteshwar Pujara 43, A Rahane 42, M Starc 2/49, P Cummins 1/42)

Kohli, Rahane shine in ICC Test rankings

December 16, 2020, 4:53 am

Ace Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have moved up by a spot in their respective ICC players rankings in Test cricket.

Kohli has displaced New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson at the second spot in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen. India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has also entered the top 10 list. Cheteshwar Pujara has maintained his seventh spot in the list currently led by Australia’s Steve Smith.

In the bowlers list, Bumrah has moved to number eight while ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has entered the top 10. The list is led by Australia pacer Pat Cummins, followed by England’s Stuart Broad and Neil Wagner of New Zealand.

In the list of all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja is the highest ranked Indian, currently occupying the third spot. Ashwin is placed at the sixth spot.

In the Test team rankings, India are placed at the third spot while Australia and New Zealand occupy the first and second spot respectively.

India and Australia are scheduled to take on each other in the four-match Test series beginning Thursday. Kohli will take part in the first Test only and will return to India after the pink-ball fixture at the Adelaide Oval (December 17-21) to be with his wife Anushka Sharma who is expecting their first child.