Ajinkya Rahane completed his ninth Test century to help India gain the initiative on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground. Rahane reached the three-figure mark with a single off Rangana Herath, off 151 balls with 12 fours. (IND v SL 2nd Test, Day 1 highlights)
The hundred was important for Rahane’s confidence in the sense that since his 188 against New Zealand at Indore, in October 2016, the Mumbai batsman had gone nine Tests, 19 innings without a century. (IND v SL SCORECARD)
In between, he got to a few half-centuries, but somehow was unable to convert it into three figures, a story similar to what happened in the opening Test at Galle, where he got out after getting well-set.
READ | Cheteshwar Pujara continues dream run with century vs Sri Lanka in Colombo Test
Finally, before the talk about his conversion rate could grow any stronger and affect his game, Rahane broke the rut at the SSC ground. Coming into bat with India under slight pressure after losing their captain Virat Kohli cheaply, Rahane looked positive from the start, not allowing the Sri Lankan bowlers to settle down.
The half-century was reached in 83 balls, with six fours, and there was hardly a false stroke as he pushed towards his century. Sri Lanka asked for a review against Rahane for leg-before wicket off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, but that was more to exhaust their option before the 80th over.
{{/usCountry}}The half-century was reached in 83 balls, with six fours, and there was hardly a false stroke as he pushed towards his century. Sri Lanka asked for a review against Rahane for leg-before wicket off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, but that was more to exhaust their option before the 80th over.
{{/usCountry}}His double century stand with Cheteshwar Pujara helped India reach 335 for three.