Ajinkya Rahane’s former coach Pravin Amre showered praise on his ward after he announced his International retirement across all formats on Thursday. Rahane played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India while also featured in 212 IPL games for six teams. Rahane amassed 5077 Test runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries, out of which eight came in overseas conditions.
He also led India to a memorable Border-Gavaskar series win against Australia in 2020-21 in the absence of Virat Kohli after the visitors lost the opening Test at Adelaide, following their 36-run second innings collapse.
Rahane scored a magnificent century (112 runs off 223 balls) at the MCG to lead from the front and helped India draw the series. Thus, Rahane was awarded Player of the Match and India then went on to register a historic win at the Gabba.
“We know like what he did in Australia with that particular innings in Melbourne when the team was bowled out for 36 previously,” Amre was quoted as saying by PTI.
“From there, picking the team, performing, leading from the front and getting that hundred… I think that is the art of batsmanship and also the art of leadership on how to play, where morally the team was down and from there, beating the mighty Australians in their own soil.”
Amre tipped Rahane as a player who consistently delivered when the team needed him the most.
He added, “Ajinkya Rahane was always a silent warrior because he knew that whenever his team needed, he was there for the team. That is the way he had grown up and his attitude was like that. I’m really proud of it because most of them came in adverse situation and that’s the art of batsmanship.”
The former Delhi Capitals assistant coach recalled Rahane’s 103-run knock at the Lord’s, which helped India in registering a famous win.
“The innings at Lord’s on the green top wicket because we always we know when you perform, especially at Lord’s, it is always a special moment. I personally feel that because I was very happy to see his name on the honours board,” Amre said.
Rahane led India in six Test matches, winning four of them and drawing two.
