India batter Ajinkya Rahane missed out on his 13th Test century in ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 final against Australia. On a track where other specialist Indian batters failed, Rahane did his best to help the team avoid an embarrassing batting effort. Just when he was about to reach the nervous 90s, a screamer of a catch from Australia all-rounder Cameron Green ended his knock.
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It would have been Rahane’s first international hundred in 30 months. Readers must note that he had last scored a century against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21. In what is one of his best innings in international cricket, Rahane has contributed a match-winning 112 (233) with the help of 12 fours.
After losing the first Test in Adelaide, that particular knock was of utmost importance for the Indian team. India won the match and leveled the series. Rahane won the Player of the Match trophy as well.
Speaking of his latest innings, Rahane did have his share of luck at The Oval after getting out on a no-ball from Australia captain Pat Cummins on Day 2. As far as his dismissal is concerned, the right-handed batter tried to punch a ball only to edge it to Green at gully, who grabbed a one-handed stunner in no time.
It was Rahane’s first match after 17 months and he made the occasion count. The way he performed for Chennai Super Kings in Indian Premier League 2023 played a vital part in his selection. Having regularly featured in Ranji Trophy 2022-2023, an experienced Rahane convinced the selectors for a spot for a title-decider.
Ajinkya Rahane Test Centuries List
| S No. | Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| 1 | 118 | New Zealand | Basin Reserve | 2014 |
| 2 | 103 | England | Lord’s | 2014 |
| 3 | 147 | Australia | Melbourne Cricket Ground | 2014 |
| 4 | 126 | Sri Lanka | P Sara Oval | 2015 |
| 5 | 127 | South Africa | Arun Jaitley Stadium | 2015 |
| 6 | 100* | South Africa | Arun Jaitley Stadium, | 2015 |
| 7 | 108* | West Indies | Sabina Park | 2016 |
| 8 | 188 | New Zealand | Holkar Cricket Stadium | 2016 |
| 9 | 132 | Sri Lanka | Sinhalese Sports Club | 2017 |
| 10 | 102 | West Indies | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium | 2019 |
| 11 | 115 | South Africa | JSCA International Stadium | 2019 |
| 12 | 112 | Australia | Melbourne Cricket Ground | 2020 |
Rahane is one of those rare players who has scored more centuries in overseas conditions than at home. Out of his 12 Test hundreds, eight have came outside India. He even scored his maiden century in the format against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.
In the same year, he scored two more centuries, one at Lord’s and another one at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Rahane has often called his Lord’s hundred as one of the memorable ones in his career.
