In spite of hockey being the national game, people follow cricket more. So, fans will be delighted when star batsman Ajinkya Rahane graces the stage at the two-day event. Incidentally, Rahane’s session will be the final session of the mega event before the thanks-giving ceremony.
The right-handed batsman is a perfect combination of talent, consistency and aggression. He has been widely praised by his teammates, including former India skipper MS Dhoni and coaches he has played under, for his batting technique, commitment and discipline to the game.
As a teenager, Rahane had performed well when India U-19 toured New Zealand in early 2007, with two centuries. The tour boasted future international stars such as Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Ishant Sharma, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ravindra Jadeja and Corey Anderson. The scores in New Zealand impressed the selectors and they picked him for the Mohammad Nissar Trophy in Pakistan. He had no first-class experience prior to this match in Karachi.
Rahane has been a consistent performer in the domestic level since his Ranji Trophy debut in 2007-08. With 1,089 runs in his second Ranji season, Rahane was a crucial factor in Mumbai’s 38th title win. The Mumbaikar surpassed 1,000 runs in three separate seasons, and scoring 152 in the 2011 Irani Trophy match against Rajasthan helped him get selected for India’s Test squad.
Rahane made a name for himself when scored a brilliant century on a green deck at Lord’s – where legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting failed to score a Test Century, in 2014 that really made the world take notice of him. It set up India’s first win at the venue in 28 years. He has been in and out of the ODI side far too often for a player of his caliber.
Rahane, who is considered as one of the best sleep fielders India has ever produced, has good reflexes and anticipation. He broke the record of most catches in a Test match when he grabbed eight catches in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2015.
Rahane became the first batsman to hit six fours in an over in IPL when he created history against Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Srinath Arvind while playing for Rajasthan Royals in 2012.
So it the cricket lovers would be delighted when the star Indian cricketer takes the center stage at the two-day event and will speak about the ‘Guardians of the faith – Saving Test cricket’.