Ajinkya Rahane shines for Leicestershire, registers his 40th First-Class century
Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane sent a timely reminder to the selectors ahead of India's Test series against Bangladesh, staring September 19. Rahane, who had a solid One-Day Cup for Leicestershire recently, made things count with a knock of 102 in Leicestershire's 2nd innings against Glamorgan at Cardiff in a County Championship Division Two encounter. Rahane had earlier managed 42 in the first innings.
Rahane does well against Glamorgan
Leicestershire were folded for 251 in their first innings with Rahane hitting 42 from 67 balls. Glamorgan responded with a score of 550/9d. In Leicestershire's 2nd innings, Rahane walked in at 37/2. His side was reduced to 74/3 before Peter Handscomb joined Rahane and the two put up a majestic 183-run stand. Kiran Carlson broke the stand by dismissing Rahane.
40th ton for Rahane
Rahane's 102 was laced with 13 fours and a six. He faced 192 deliveries. On Day 3, Rahane was unbeaten on 47 as bad light stopped play with Leicestershire being 144/3. Rahane completed his century on Day 4. As per ESPNcricinfo, Rahane now owns 13,387 runs in First-Class cricket. He averaged 45-plus. This was his 40th century (50s: 57). He also completed 1,600 fours.
162 runs in the ongoing County Championship Division Two
The ongoing County Championship Division Two sees Rahane race to 162 runs from two matches at 40.5. In his side's first clash, he managed 12 and six versus Gloucestershire.
Can Rahane make it to the Indian Test side?
Rahane is likely to be ignored for the upcoming Test series versus Bangladesh. The middle order of India is likely to have Virat Kohli (4), Sarfaraz Khan (5) and Rishabh Pant (6). With the likes of Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and Shreyas Iyer being in the background. Rahane needs to score more runs and be in the radar when India tour Australia.
