India vs Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan Denies Ajinkya Rahane Deserving Century
Ajinkya Rahane gave perfect support to a more established Murali Vijay to put India on top versus Bangladesh at Fatullah. He missed his fourth Test century by two runs.
In a Test match dominated by Shikhar Dhawan's aggression and Murali Vijay's patience, Ajinkya Rahane missed his fourth Test century by just two runs on Friday. It though was yet another knock - after Dhawan's 173 and Vijay's 150 effort - that helped India take firm control against Bangladesh at Fatullah. (Scorecard | Day Three Highlights)
Bangladesh's left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan took his fourth wicket of the Indian innings as Rahane chose the wrong ball to pull and was bowled. The Mumbai batsman played 103 balls and laced his innings with 14 classy boundaries as India forced the pace in a stop-start second session of play. India were 453 for six when Rahane exited.
Coming in to bat at a time when India had lost three quick wickets - Dhawan (173), Rohit Sharma (6) and Virat Kohli (14), and after a 283-run opening stand, Rahane was a man with objectives absolutely clear - support Vijay. The batsman at the other end had completed his sixth Test ton and was looking good for more runs.
All Vijay needed was stability at the other end and that's just what Rahane gave him. The 27-year-old replaced captain Kohli in the middle and quickly seized back the momentum - one that Bangladesh players were rejoicing after being made to work hard for two days.
The knock from Rahane was one that has established him as one of the most consistent in the batting line-up. There were hardly any wild swings, edges or jabs - until the effort that saw his downfall - even as spin and pace were thrown in utter desperation by the opposition. The Mumbai batsman negotiated both by applying himself on pitch that was already a paradise for batting.
Even a batting pitch requires some class to succeed on and Rahane showed he had oodles of it. His fifty came off 64 balls and had six boundaries.
In what has been a run-fest under temperamental skies at Fatullah, Rahane's effort - this is the second time he has been out in the nineties -- though will surely be hailed as one that commands maximum respect from a haggard bunch of Bangladeshi players.