‘Happy birthday to the captain who won us the toughest of series’ – Fans send Ajinkya Rahane birthday wishes ahead of the WTC final

Former Indian team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane turns 35 today as he prepares for the World Test Championship final against Australia starting tomorrow at the Oval. He is set to play a pivotal role for the team in their attempt to win the World Test Championship at the second try after failing two years back at the same venue to eventual champions New Zealand. 

The 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) might not have been Ajinkya Rahane’s greatest in terms of runs. But this year, the Maharashtra hitter likely had his best season in terms of making an everlasting impression. After all, Rahane’s historic comeback to the Indian side for the World Test Championship (WTC) final versus Australia was made possible because of the IPL 2023 season.

Rahane finished his IPL 2023 season having scored 326 runs at a strike rate of 172.49 while representing the Chennai Super Kings under MS Dhoni’s direction. Additionally, he scored two fifties in the IPL this year. Rahane’s outstanding performance was crucial in helping Chennai Super Kings clinch their fifth IPL championship this season, tying the record with Mumbai Indians.

Shreyas Iyer, who has already established himself as a Test No. 5, would not have likely been injured, and the Indian batter might not have been called back. Rahane, who will be making his 18-month comeback to the team, will undoubtedly be under tremendous pressure to make a statement given that there isn’t going to be another opportunity.

In Australia in 2021, he guided India towards a landmark Test series victory before being benched in 2022. He is a member of the team for this year’s World Test Championship final, and the Indian team may benefit from his past performance against the formidable Australians. Rahane was removed from the Test squad in 2022 following India’s series loss in South Africa. The CSK batter who has an experience of 82 tests will want to put a new guard at the wicket when he steps out to bat at The Oval on June 7 and make a strong impression once again on the Indian team management.

Fans send Ajinkya Rahane birthday wishes ahead of the WTC final : –