Rahane, the fire fighter

Right-hander's gutsy ton in tough conditions at Lord's reflected his true class

Someday, there could be a biopic on Ajinkya Rahane. He offers the perfect storyline for a classic boyhood-dream-come-true flick.

There were the rush hour travels in Mumbai local trains from Dombivili to Victoria Terminus with a heavy cricket kit, a hundred in the first-class debut against Karachi Urban in the Mohamamd Nissar Trophy at Karachi, 18 first-class hundreds, frustrating wait to break into the Indian cricket team despite scoring truckload of runs, and finally glory in the shape of a coveted century at Lord’s.

All those struggles, perhaps, steeled his mind, teaching him to value the opportunities that come his way. Take this instance, Rahane started his career as an opener before migrating to become Mumbai’s number three. But to realise his goal of playing for India, Rahane had to bat in a totally unfamiliar positions for him – number five or six.

It’s a tough place to bat in Test cricket, and doubters can check with VVS Laxman. The Hyderabadi had batted in that position countless times either to win or save a Test for India, often in the company of tail-enders. So, it’s natural that Rahane will have to live under that giant shadow as long as he bats in that position, and he, thus far, has given some positive responses.

The first real test of his character came at Wellington earlier this year against New Zealand. Walked in at 165 for five, his cool-headed 118 off 158 balls led India to a 400-plus total and to a place from where they could have won the match but for an epochal Kiwi fightback.

But even he wouldn’t have imagined being part of India’s Test win at Lord’s after 28 years, let alone being one of the lead casts. After being asked to bat first on a green top, India were in all sorts of trouble at 145 for seven, and Rahane was the last recognized batsman.

 Even the die-hard supporters wouldn’t have given the 26-year-old a chance to survive against a top-of-the-mark James Anderson & Co.

However, Rahane bailed India out of the woods in the company of equally impressive Bhuvneshwar Kumar, adding 90 runs for the eighth wicket and a further 40 for the ninth wicket with Mohamamd Shami. Those two alliances helped India to reach 295, culminating in a 95-run victory.

Playing in only his seventh Test, Rahane showed remarkable maturity and temperament to guide the tailenders. Like his predecessor Laxman, the Mumbai lad too put his faith on the abilities of the late order batsmen and remained in constant conversation with them.

 Rahane clarified with each of them before almost every over whether they are comfortable taking singles and face more number of balls.

Rahane explained the secret behind batting with tailenders. “I was confident in tailenders. Bhuvneshwar is such a confident batsman. I completely trust him. I trust Shami too. Batting with tailenders, you have got to trust them completely, and you have to have faith in them. That’s what I did here,” he said.

His own batting technique too was vastly impressive. Rahane, who trains under former India batsman Pravin Amre, had handled the extra bounce in South Africa quite effectively, and in England he covered the swing well with precise back and across movement.

Rahane has been preparing for the task of batting in conditions alien to him. “I like to bat in overseas conditions because it’s challenging. It is what international cricket is all about and you have to accept the challenge. So I took that in a positive manner. I play a lot of my cricket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the pitch there has good pace and bounce, from playing on those surfaces I have managed to get good practice and I am used to pace and bounce.”

However, there was one more person elated at Rahane’s success. Rahul Dravid has been mentoring him for sometime now as part of the Rajasthan Royals set up. “Great technique. It was a great exhibition of skill, temperament and talent. He brought everything into his innings,” Dravid gushed from the commentary box after the ward’s ton.

Perhaps, soon Dravid will have to find a lot more adjectives.