Ajinkya Rahane is one of the most underrated match-winners in Indian cricket history. The middle-order batter has played many match-winning knocks for the nation across all three formats. He is also among the few Indian players to have captained the Indian team in all three formats of international cricket.
Earlier this year, Rahane made a roaring comeback to the cricket field in IPL 2023 and helped the Chennai Super Kings become the champions for the fifth time. He also earned a recall to the Indian squad for the World Test Championship Final. As Rahane celebrates his birthday today, here’s a look at the five records held by him which no other Indian can boast of.
1. Ajinkya Rahane was the 1st Indian to hit maiden ODI and Test hundred in SENA countries
SENA nations – South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, are considered to be tough for Indian batters. However, Rahane became the first Indian to smash his first-ever Test and ODI hundred in those conditions.
2. Only Indian to score 2 Test hundreds in same match while batting below number 4
Rahane achieved a unique feat in a Test against South Africa in December 2015. He scored two hundreds in two innings while batting at number five or below. He is the only Indian to achieve this feat.
3. Only Indian to take 8 catches in a Test
There is a well-known saying in cricket that ‘catches win matches’. If the fielders do not drop catches, their team has a good chance of winning. Rahane is one of the safest fielders in Indian cricket. He took eight catches against Sri Lanka in August 2015.
4. Ajinkya Rahane loves playing against Australia on Boxing Day
Boxing Day Test is one of the most-watched matches in Australia. Rahane is the only Indian to have smashed a hundred in a Boxing Day Test against Australia as a player (2014) and as a captain (2020).
5. Highest score on T20I debut
So many players have played T20I cricket for India. The record for the highest score by an Indian on T20I debut belongs to Rahane for his 61-run knock against England in 2011.
