Published 15:57 IST, December 29th 2020
Ajinkya Rahane's MCG achievement makes fans recall Rahul Dravid's 2003 Adelaide epic
Fans compare Ajinkya Rahane's MCG heroics with that of Rahul Dravid's Adelaide marvels when the former Indian captain helped his side win at the venue.
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Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane led his side to an incredible comeback in the ongoing India vs Australia 2020 series with a win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The cricketer scored 112 in the first innings to notch up his 12th Test ton. Moreover, Rahane also stayed unbeaten at the crease to guide Team India past the finishing line on Day 4 with eight wickets still in hand.
India vs Australia 2nd Test: Ajinkya Rahane and co. level series 1-1, read scorecard
India level the series! #AUSvIND
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2020
Second Test scorecard: https://t.co/qwpaGhOixs pic.twitter.com/dLy3kC1B0M
India vs Australia 2nd Test: Fans draw comparisons between Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Dravid
Ajinkya Rahane’s MCG heroics prompted many fans to compare the cricketer with former Indian captain Rahul Dravid. Much like Rahane, the legendary batsman also won a Test match for India in Australia through his batting marvels. Back in December 2003 at the Adelaide Oval, Rahul Dravid scored 233 against Australia in the first-innings and followed it up with an unbeaten 72 during a stiff Day 5 run-chase.
Fans are also comparing Ajinkya Rahane’s MCG feat with Rahul Dravid’s Adelaide heroics because the two cricketers also scored the winning runs for their side. Here is a look at some of the reactions as Indian fans continue to compare the two decorated servants of Indian cricket.
#INDvAUS After Rahul Dravid, Ajinkya Rahane becomes the second Indian batsman to hit the winning runs for India in test on Australian soil.pic.twitter.com/tjxOAfjSPa
— ᵐ∆RtЎ 𝓶𝕔🅕l𝕪 (@mr_v_tweets) December 29, 2020
Coincidence
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) December 29, 2020
•Rahul Dravid in Adelaide 2003 - 233 & 72*
•Ajinkya Rahane in Melbourne in 2020 - 112 & 27*
Both Hit the Winning Runs. Both Won the Man Of The Match Awards.
Also Read | Virat Kohli & Sachin Tendulkar Lead Wishes As India Register Famous Win Against Australia
Adelaide 2003 : Rahul Dravid with scores of 233 & 72* takes India home to a memorable win.
— North Stand Gang - Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) December 29, 2020
MCG 2020 : In one of the biggest comebacks, skipper Rahane scores 112 & 27* steering India to one of their most memorable win overseas.
We love our Cricket and our wins ❤#INDvsAUSTest pic.twitter.com/LT5eX9K26i
Mentor (Dravid) : Adelaide, 2003
— Nipun (@dipun_) December 29, 2020
Mentee (Rahane) : Melbourne, 2020#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/tSMnF4QO4d
Also Read | Ricky Ponting Backs Steve Smith To Perform In Next Test, Feels Joe Burns Might Be Forced Out
Debutants performance cap India’s series-levelling win
Apart from Ajinkya Rahane MCG hundred, debutants Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj also starred with bat and ball respectively to highlight India’s win. Gill scored 45 in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 35 alongside Rahane in the run-chase on Day 4. Meanwhile, Siraj claimed figures of 2-40 and 3-37 to collect a five-wicket match-haul on his Test debut.
Jasprit Bumrah collected six wickets in the match and the speedsters were ably assisted by Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (5 wickets) and Ravindra Jadeja (3 wickets). Here is a look at the entire highlights package from Day 4 of the Melbourne Test.
Ajinkya Rahane MCG hundred from Day 2, watch video
India vs Australia 2020 going ahead
The India vs Australia 2020 summer will now go forward with the all-important third Test match in January. The match, originally scheduled to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, is set to be hosted by Melbourne again due to the rise of coronavirus cases in Sydney. Team India will also be fuelled by the return of Rohit Sharma, who will be joining the squad after completing his quarantine break.
Image source: cricket.com.au
15:57 IST, December 29th 2020