Melbourne: Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels that Ajinkya Rahane’s century in the ongoing Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, after the Adelaide humiliation will go down as one of the most important knocks in the history of Indian cricket. India were still wounded after the horrifying collapse and the lowest-ever Test score of 36 in the second innings as Australia claimed an eight-wicket win in the series opener at the Adelaide Oval. However, they made a strong comeback in the ongoing second Test and dominated Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Stand-in skipper, Rahane’s 112 first innings created the base for India’s series-leveling 8-wicket win in Melbourne. India rode on Rahane’s ton to get an important 131-run lead after they had bowled Australia out for 195. Rahane himself admitted that although he considers this a very important knock of his career, the century he struck at Lord’s in 2014 remains his favourite. Gavaskar said Rahane’s 112 deserves a place in the pantheon of great Test centuries hit by Indian cricketers for the incredible statement it’s made. India win the Test in grand style. This was Ajinkya Rahane’s third win as captain and the second-highest score by an Indian captain at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“I believe that this hundred is going to be one of the most important hundreds in the history of Indian cricket,” Gavaskar told the Seven Network before play resumed on Day 3.
“Important because it’s showing character, sending a message to the opposition that after being dismissed for 36 in the previous game, to come back in this manner, this Indian team is not going to just lie down and be walked all over. That is the message and that’s why I think this is going to be one of the most important hundreds in the history of Indian cricket.” he further added.
