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Ajinkya Rahane Grabs BCCI's Attention With A Gritty 97 In Irani Cup 2024 

Ajinkya Rahane during his knock in Irani Cup 2024 [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Ajinkya Rahane during his knock in Irani Cup 2024 [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

The Ranji Trophy winners, Mumbai, are taking on the Rest of India in the Irani Cup 2024. This match is being played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad is in charge of the Rest of India. He won the toss ahead of the game and put Mumbai to bat. The Rest of India bowlers started the proceedings brilliantly and had Mumbai in trouble at 37/3 within the first 12 overs. 

Rahane fought for his team after early shocks

After the departure of Hardik Tamore, the skipper of Mumbai, Ajinkya Rahane formed a partnership of 102 runs with Shreyas Iyer (57 off 84 balls). Iyer was dismissed by Yash Dayal in the 40th over. The Rest of India were looking to make a comeback at this stage and seize the momentum. However, Sarfaraz Khan joined hands with his skipper and ensured that the Ranji champions established their authority in the game. 

Since Shreyas Iyer's fall, Sarfaraz and Rahane stitched together a partnership of 130 runs, making things hard for the opposition. During this stellar partnership, Ajinkya Rahane played a trademark solid knock. The Mumbai skipper was dismissed by a brilliant bouncer by Yash Dayal. But it was not before Rahane had bailed the team out of trouble with a gritty and gutsy knock of 97 runs.

What is the significance of Rahane's 100?

India is in the middle of a lengthy Test season at present. They have just defeated Bangladesh by a 2-0 margin at home. After this, they will play New Zealand at home and Australia down under. An away series will follow the Australia series in England. With such important series coming up, Rahane's knock will make the selectors aware of his presence, as India will need solidity in the middle order during the upcoming series.