In a First Class career spanning well over 16 years, Ajinkya Rahane has 95 scores of 50-plus, including memorable knocks for India in some of the most challenging conditions against the toughest bowling line-ups.
Still, when he drove fellow veteran Umesh Yadav through covers in the dying moments of Monday’s proceedings at the Wankhede Stadium, he received a rousing applause from the spectator gallery and the dressing room alike.
Rahane, with the lean patch he has had throughout the season (134 runs from 11 innings coming into the Ranji final), knew his job was only half done and the Mumbai dressing room did its best to let him realise they were happier than their captain.
