NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a memorable 89 in his comeback Test after 18 months, hoped that the finger injury he sustained on Thursday would not affect his batting in the second innings in the World Test Championship final against Australia.
"Don't think it will affect (my) batting (in India's second innings)," Rahane told the broadcaster at the end of the third day's play.
Rahane faced 129 balls and struck 11 fours and a six during his stay in the middle. His 109-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Shardul Thakur (51 off 109) kept India in the game but Australia still managed to take a massive 173-run first-innings lead.
1/9:Ajinkya Rahane becomes 13th Indian to score 5000 runs in Test cricket
2/9:5K milestone for Rahane
<p>Ajinkya Rahane who made his comeback into the Indian team completed 5000 runs in the longest format of the game during the WTC final against Australia at the Oval.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Reuters
3/9:13th Indian to surpass 5K runs
<p>The 35-year-old batter became the 13th Indian player to achieve this milestone. Rahane, who required 69 runs, got to his milestone in his 83rd Test match.<br /><br /><br /></p>PTI
4/9:Mr. Dependable returns
<p>Rahane also known as Mr.Dependable announced his comeback into the side in style by registering his 26th half-century and became the savior for India’s innings.<br /></p>Getty Images
5/9:Rahane was dropped from the Indian side in 2022
<p>Rahane, who was dropped from the Test side in January, 2022 after a lean patch in the format, made a fantastic comeback into the Test side and contributed for his side in a tough situation.<br /><br /><br /></p>AFP
6/9:Controlled innings by Rahane
<p>After the top-order collapsed, Rahane entered the Oval arena and took control of the Indian innings along with Shardul Thakur.<br /></p>Reuters
7/9:Rahane-Thakur partnership
<p>Rahane and Thakur notched a match-saving partnership of 109 after the top-order failure. This is the 5th highest partnership for the 7th wicket or below for India in England in Test cricket.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>PTI
8/9:Rahane dismissed for well-made 89
<p>Rahane was dismissed after a well-composed 89 when Cameron Green pulled off a screamer at the slip. Rahane’s innings included 11 boundaries and a six.<br /></p>AP
9/9:Rahane joins the elite list
<p>Rahane joined the likes of Kapil Dev (5248), Gundappa Viswanath (6080), Mohammad Azharuddin (6215), Dilip Vengsarkar (6868), Cheteshwar Pujara (7168*), Sourav Ganguly (7212), Virat Kohli (8430*), Virender Sehwag (8503), VVS Laxman (8781), Sunil Gavaskar (10122), Rahul Dravid (13265), and Sachin Tendulkar (15921).<br /></p>ReutersAt stumps, Australia extended their lead to 296 runs by reaching 123 for four in 44 overs in their second innings.
"Happy with the way I batted. Had a good today. We were looking to get 320-330 but overall we had a good day. Bowling wise we bowled well. Everyone chipped in."
Referring to Cameron Green's incredible catch to dismiss him, Rahane said, "That was a really good catch. We all know he's a really good fielder. Has a big reach."
He had no qualms in admitting that Australia have their nose ahead.
"Australia slightly ahead in the game. For us it's important to be in the moment, play session by session. First one hour will be crucial tomorrow. We know funny things can happen. Jadeja bowled really well, footmarks helped him against the left-hander. Still feel wicket will help seam bowlers," Rahane said.
Rahane was struck on his right hand's index finger off a Pat Cummins bouncer on the second day of the match. He immediately felt pain and called on the physio for treatment.
Thakur also said Rahane will "definitely bat" in the second innings.
"He (Rahane) got a bad blow on his finger. It does not look too bad, it is being assessed. He did not go out in the field as it would have been risky and he had already fractured the same finger previously. He will definitely bat."
(With inputs from PTI)
