Ajinkya Rahane Becomes Inaugural Winner Of Mullagh Medal After Being Named Player Of The Match In Boxing Day Test

The medal has been named after Johnny Mullagh, former captain of Australia’s first cricket team to go for an international tournament. The former captain led the 1868 Aboriginal tour to England.

Ajinkya Rahane with Mullagh Medal | Image Courtesy: Twitter - @CricketAus

Stand-in captain of the Indian Cricket Team Ajinkya Rahane on Tuesday, became the first player to receive the prestigious Mullagh Medal after India beat Australia by 8 wickets in the second Test match at Melbourne to level the four-match series 1-1. The prestigious medal has been named after Johnny Mullagh, former captain of Australia’s first sporting team to go for an international tournament. The former captain led the 1868 Aboriginal tour to England. Cricket Australia, formerly known as the Australian Cricket Board, had earlier announced that the Player of the match of the Boxing Day Test will be awarded, Mullagh Medal. “The proud recipient and the inaugural winner of the Mullagh Medal - #TeamIndia Captain Ajinkya Rahen,” tweeted BCCI.

The proud recipient and the inaugural winner of the Mullagh Medal - #TeamIndia Captain @ajinkyarahane88 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0cBe2icMzz

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 29, 2020

“Congratulations to Ajinkya Rahane, the inaugural winner of the Mullagh Medal! The Boxing Day Test Player of the Match medal has been named in honor of trailblazing Indigenous cricketer Johnny Mullagh (Unaarrimin),” Cricket Australia tweet quoted.

Congratulations to Ajinkya Rahane, the inaugural winner of the Mullagh Medal! The Boxing Day Test Player of the Match medal has been named in honour of trailblazing Indigenous cricketer Johnny Mullagh (Unaarrimin). pic.twitter.com/nhHH3c6Xmx

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 29, 2020

Rahane became player of the match after he scored a century (112) in the first innings which ensured India took a healthy 131-run lead after bowling Australia out for 195. READ | "One Of The Greatest Comebacks In Test History:" Ravi Shastri After India Beat Australia In 2nd Test Rahane remained unbeaten on December 27, after India lost two early wickets of Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara while chasing 70 for victory on Day 4. Resting hopes in on 21-year-old all-rounder Cameron Green, Australia resumed their second innings on day four on 133 for six with a two-run lead. Green scored 45 as the Aussies battled to get 200 runs before tail-ender Josh Hazlewood was the last man to fall before lunch. Mohammed Siraj, on debut, took 3-37 with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravi Ashwin grabbing two each. The third Test is due to start on January 7 in Sydney.