Ajinkya Rahane: The technically brilliant batsman

Rahane is seen as the calming influence in a batting line-up awash with the likes of Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.

Rahane is seen as the calming influence in a batting line-up awash with the likes of Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan.

India's Ajinkya Rahane plays a shot during the 2nd One Day International cricket match against Australia.(AP Photo)

He was initially just one of the hundreds of cricketers off the production lines of the famed Mumbai academies, but rose to prominence with impressive displays in the Ranji Trophy.

Rahane first made his name for India on English shores in 2011 during the limited-overs series as a busy batsman at the top of the order.

He graduated to Test ranks in 2013 in a home series against Australia, though he only managed single figures in the two innings at Delhi.

However, better was to follow away in South Africa and he then went on to impress in seaming conditions at Wellington in February 2014 to hit his first five-day ton, a 118 in a drawing cause against New Zealand.

His talent in Tests also saw him get on the honour’s board at Lord’s in July 2014, before further boosting his reputation in the cauldron of a series against Australia to prove he is a batsman to be replied upon in all conditions.

Full Name: Ajinkya Rahane

Born: June 5 1988 , Ashwi Khurd

Country: India

Other teams: India Blue, India Emerging Players, India Under-19s, Mumbai, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals

Test debut: India v Australia, Delhi, Mar 22-24 2013

ODI debut: England v India, Chester-le-Street, Sept 3 2011

T20 debut: England v India, Manchester, Aug 31 2011

Batting Style: Right-hand batsman

Bowling Style: Right-arm medium