Ajinkya Rahane had a career of two halves. Image Credits: AFP
There are multiple ways to look at Ajinkya Rahane’s Test career. For starters, he could surely have done a lot better in the second half, but most of his matches came in the toughest batting era.
Still, when he was on song, Rahane was exceedingly good and pleasing to the eye. And maybe that’s why India kept backing him even after a string of poor performances in the late end of his career.
Ajinkya Rahane’s bright start
Ajinkya Rahane's career breakdown
Ajinkya Rahane made a terrific start to his Test career, showing immense consistency in the first half. In the initial 50 Test innings, Rahane scored 2209 runs at an average of 51.37, including eight centuries. This was despite playing more than 70% of his matches away from home.
35 of those outings came at No.5, where he scored 1447 runs at an average of 46.68. Rahane also hit five centuries at this position.
However, his downfall came soon after a healthy start. In the next 94 Test innings, Ajinkya Rahane could only score 2868 runs at an abysmal average of 32.22. He could only hit four centuries in this period.
There were a few quality knocks during this phase, such as the iconic century in Melbourne in 2020 and a gritty 89 in the WTC final in London in 2023.
However, he was nowhere as consistent as he should have been despite getting more than enough backing. Eventually, Rahane retired with an average of 38.46 and 12 centuries when he could have done a lot better.
Acing the No.5 slot
Ajinkya Rahane was an ideal No.5 batter for India, with Cheteshwar Pujara at No.3 and Virat Kohli at No.4. Rahane complemented both of them nicely. The trio collectively played a crucial role in some of India’s greatest victories and acted as a strong middle order.
At No.5, Rahane scored 3701 runs at an average of 37.01 in 106 Test innings. This included 21 fifties and eight centuries. Most of his finest knocks came at this number.
Only Mohammad Azharuddin has scored more runs (4346) than Rahane at No.5 for India. He also hit the second-most centuries (8) at this position, along with Polly Umrigar.
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In all innings in which Rahane batted at No.5, others collectively averaged 37.36 and hit 11 centuries across 191 outings.
So, this position was never easy, and Rahane also batted away from home at times. His numbers would have been better than his counterparts' had his regression not been as bad as it was.
The overseas proficiency
Ajinkya Rahane was consistent away from home
Ajinkya Rahane is easily among India’s most prolific Test batters away from home. While batting outside the home conditions, Rahane has 3433 runs at an average of 39.91 in 94 outings, with 18 fifties and eight centuries.
He averaged 42.09 in Australia, 75 in West Indies, 45.22 in Sri Lanka, and 36.54 in South Africa. In New Zealand, Rahane also enjoyed a decent tour in 2014, where he made a solid century in Wellington. Only in England were his performances below par, with an average of a mere 28.80 across 31 innings.
During Rahane’s Test career between 2013 and 2023, only Virat Kohli scored more runs (4156) and had a better average (39.91) away from home for India. Rahane had the third-most centuries after Kohli (14) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9).
In SENA countries, Rahane’s average (34.82) was the third-best after Kohli (43.92) and Rishabh Pant (39.61). His superior pace game and technique easily helped him score in those challenging conditions, especially in the early phase of his career.
Runs and leadership in historic wins reflect Ajinkya Rahane's Test legacy
Ajinkya Rahane scored runs in some of India's greatest wins in the longest format. At Lord’s in 2014, he took India to a respectable first-innings score singlehandedly when no other batter could apply themselves. That eventually was a match-winning knock, as the team registered a historic win.
Similarly, Rahane hit a timely century in Melbourne in 2020 that scripted a memorable comeback for India Down Under. There were also solid runs in Sri Lanka in 2015 and the West Indies in 2019. Even at home, he was exceedingly good and helped India maintain dominance for a number of years.
In wins, Rahane scored 3047 runs at an average of 46.87 in 73 Test innings. Overall, he hit 12 centuries in Tests, and India never lost any of those games. They won nine and drew three.
Even as a captain, Ajinkya Rahane never lost a Test match. He led India in six Tests, winning four, including two historic victories in Australia, and drawing the other two. As a captain, he registered a win percentage of 66.66.
Ajinkya Rahane’s career was more about tremendous highs and shocking lows. Undoubtedly, he could have done much better than what he managed in the end. Still, it was a career worth cherishing, and something he could be proud of.
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