India vs Australia: ‘He looked composed, in control and showed what leadership is all about’ – Tom Moody hails Ajinkya Rahane’s captain’s knock

India vs Australia: ‘He looked composed, in control and showed what leadership is all about’ – Tom Moody hails Ajinkya Rahane’s captain’s knock

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Leading just in his third Test, Ajinkya Rahane struck a brilliant ton to put India in the driver’s seat at the MCG. Resuming the day on 36 for one, Australia struck back with two quick wickets in the first session. But stand in captain Rahane stitched three crucial partnerships with Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja to build a healthy lead.

In the course of the day, Rahane disaplyed immense courage and patience as he battled through a potent Aussie attack to bring up his 12th Test ton. The Indian captain’s ressilience garnered praise from all over the globe. Former Aussie all rounder Tom Moody is mighty impressed by the way Rahane soaked the pressure and rose to the occasion.

“With all the pressure that was built up for this Test match. With the absence of Virat Kohli, one of the best players of the world also the captain of the side. After a disastrous performance in Adelaide, you can’t imagine the pressure he was under. But to me it certainly didn’t look like it.”

“He looked composed, he looked in control and he showed what leadership is all about. Leadership is about actions and his actions was very much about head down, I am grinding this out. I am going to show discipline, I will show you some maturity, some class alomg the way. And allow my innings to unfold a blossom for you all to enjoy,” Moody said on ESPN Cricinfo.

What an incredible performance

Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja

Although the 32 year old was dropped twice, he didn’t do much wrong in his unbeaten 200 ball innings so far. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan heaped praises on Rahane for the blistering innings. Vaughan hailed the innings the best in Rahane’s Test career and is impressed with the timing of the knocks.

Vaughan tweeted, “His 100 at lords was special but this one in Melbourne as skipper with his team 1-0 down and up against it tops the lot … what an incredible performance so far by @ajinkyarahane88 !!!”

While Rahane’s gritty knock was hailed across the world, Jadeja’s superb innings of 40* was lost in the shadow. The all rounder played with absolute concentration as he fend away the probing lines of the Aussie bowlers. India finished the day on 277 with a lead of 82 runs as rain stopped play for the day.

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