Earlier this year in June, Leicestershire secured the services of Ajinkya Rahane for the entirety of the One Day Cup and five County Championship matches. Rahane, known for his calm and composed style, had a decent run in the 50-over competition, amassing 378 runs in 10 games at an average of 42, including four half-centuries. Building on this solid performance, Rahane has now made an impressive start in the County Championship, marking his presence with a maiden first-class century for Leicestershire.
In a match against Glamorgan, Leicestershire batted first and were bowled out for 251 runs, with Rahane contributing a modest 42. Glamorgan, in response, put up a massive total of 550-9, driven by a remarkable 257 not out from Colin Ingram. Leicestershire found themselves in a challenging position as they began their second innings, losing two early wickets for just 37 runs, which brought Rahane to the crease.
Rahane initially formed a 37-run partnership with Ian Holland before teaming up with Peter Handscomb for a vital fourth-wicket stand of 183 runs. This partnership was crucial in stabilizing Leicestershire’s innings and guiding them to a position of relative safety. Rahane’s contribution was particularly significant as he showcased his experience and resilience, reaching his 40th first-class century. However, his innings came to an end when he was caught behind off Kiran Carlson, having scored 102 off 192 balls. At the time of his dismissal, Leicestershire was 296-5, still in a battle to save the match.
This century was Rahane’s second in the County Championship, with his first coming for Hampshire against Nottinghamshire in 2019. It was also a long-awaited milestone, as it marked his first century in first-class cricket in over a year and a half. The last time Rahane reached three figures in this format was during the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai against Assam in January 2023.
Rahane’s recent performances come after a period of limited international appearances. His last stint with the Indian national team was in the West Indies, where he served as vice-captain during the two-Test series in July 2023. Now at 36 years old, Rahane has accumulated 5,077 runs from 85 Tests at an average of 38.46.
Also read: Ajinkya Rahane’s Evolution with CSK
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