Published 16:57 IST, December 30th 2020

Rahane shares heartfelt message post MCG heroics, highlights Team India's 'biggest reward'

Ajinkya Rahane notched up a brilliant century in the first innings of the second Test at MCG as India buried its ghosts of Adelaide with an 8-wicket victory

Reported by: Jitesh Vachhatani
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After leing Team India to a silent but historic victory at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane thanked fans of Indian cricket for all 'love and support' in a heartfelt mess on Wednesday. Rahane, who missed post-match press conference despite win in Boxing Day Test, remarked that biggest reward for team has been ability to bring a smile on faces of all Indians that follow sport. 

"I would like to express my gratitude for all love and support we've received. biggest reward for us as a team has been ability to bring a smile on faces of all those Indians that follow sport. We continue to seek your support and good wishes as we work hard for next two matches," Ajinkya Rahane wrote on his Instagram story. 

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stand-in skipper, who has been chosen to fill in for Virat Kohli, has been lauded for leing India from front after tragic defeat at elaide in first Test of series. Rahane tched up a brilliant century in first innings of second Test at MCG as India buried its ghosts of elaide. Veterans have also heaped praise on Mumbai l's strategy and field placements during second Test as India kcked off Australia to level series. A 32-year-old batsman also got his name etched on hours board at MCG after his valiant 100. He h scored a Test century at same venue back in 2014 which got him his first mention on board. 

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Veterans praise Ajinkya Rahane

Lauding stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane's efforts in Boxing Day Test against Australia, veteran cricketer Mohamm Kaif asserted that one should 'dare to write off Indian cricket team ever'. Kaif's remarks came in backdrop of India's humiliating defeat at elaide in first Test and a courous comeback at MCG on Tuesday to level series 1-1. Men in Blue led by Ajinkya Rahane crushed Australia by 8 wickets without key players namely, Virat Kohli, Mohamm Shami and Rohit Sharma in playing XI and ar speedster - Umesh Yav - sustaining an injury in first innings forcing him out of second one. 

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Team India He coach Ravi Shastri heaped praise on players after India's comeback win against Australia in Boxing Day Test at iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday. During post-match presser, former Indian all-rounder was asked wher he has seen any generation of India perform like this in absence of captain, one main strike bowler who alrey t in team, and n asked him where does he rate this performance to which Shastri replied by terming this win as 'one of greatest comebacks'.

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India level series

Staging a gutsy comeback in second Test after elaide rout, touring Indian party without several key players defeated Australians by 8 wickets to level Test series 1-1 on Tuesday. Indian bowlers worked in tandem to bundle Aussies out for just 200 in ir second innings as batsmen just h to chase a paltry total of 70 which y did in style.

Debutant Gill who h scored 45 in first innings once against ensured that visitors got off to a flying start in ir paltry run chase as he went after Australian bowling attack right from word 'Go' and when Border-Gavaskar Trophy holders ended up losing wickets of opener Mayank Agarwal and number three batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in single digits, Gill played his natural game and took India past finish line by eight wickets. He remained unbeaten on 35. 

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16:57 IST, December 30th 2020