Ajinkya Rahane, the experienced top-order batsman of the Indian cricket team, made a strong statement in his comeback to Test cricket by reaching the milestone of 5000 runs on the third day of the WTC Final against Australia at The Oval. The 35-year-old achieved this significant feat on Friday, June 9, marking a memorable moment in his illustrious career.
During his 83rd Test match, Rahane showcased his batting prowess and determination, accumulating 69 runs to cross the 5000-run mark. Along the way, he also notched up his 26th half-century, displaying his ability to score consistently at the highest level of the game. This remarkable performance highlights Rahane’s value and contribution to the Indian Test team.
Rahane’s journey to this milestone was not without its challenges. Following a series against South Africa in January 2022, Rahane found himself dropped from the Test side. He missed out on subsequent home series against Sri Lanka, the Birmingham Test against England, and the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023. However, the resilient batsman seized the opportunity to make a comeback, making a strong statement with his bat in the WTC Final.
By achieving 5000 Test runs, Rahane joins an elite group of Indian cricketers who have achieved this significant milestone. He currently stands 13th in the list of highest run-scorers for India, alongside legendary players such as Kapil Dev, Gundappa Viswanath, Mohammad Azharuddin, Dilip Vengsarkar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and the incomparable Sachin Tendulkar. This achievement further solidifies Rahane’s position among the greats of Indian cricket.