After a horrendous outing in the Adelaide Test against Australia, India had to make a solid comeback in the second game at Melbourne Cricket Ground to survive in the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Though Indian skipper Virat Kohli wasn’t available, the stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane led from the front as he slammed his 12th ton in the purest format of the game.

Despite the setback in the Adelaide Test, Rahane showed his class and character as a batsman as he played a scintillating knock of 112 runs off 223 deliveries in the first innings at MCG. Owing to the century by the captain, India managed to post a total of 326 runs on the board in reply to the 195 posted by Australia in their first innings. This helped India in taking a lead of 131 runs after the first innings.

Rahane received appreciation and praises from the fans and cricket pundits for his gritty knock as they hailed his innings at MCG as the best knock of his Test career thus far. However, Ajinkya doesn’t hold the same view as he still rates his ton on a green mamba at Lord’s in 2014 as the best knock he has ever played.

Speaking about his century in Melbourne as a skipper in the post-match interview, Rahane said, “It was really special. Getting a century always is. Still feel that my hundred against England at Lord’s is my best.”

Ajinkya Rahane’s iconic hundred against England

Back in 2014, Ajinkya Rahane had saved the Indian batting line-up from a collapse against England in Lord’s by slamming 103 runs off 154 deliveries including 15 boundaries and 1 maximum. Batting first, the wickets kept falling from one end for India as they lost their 7 batsmen at a mere score of 145.

However, Ajinkya Rahane had shown his character as a Test batsman as he held his fort and stitched a crucial 90 runs partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar to help India post a total of 295. India registered their maiden Test win at Lord’s after a gap of 28 years by 95 runs.