'Never Seen Rahane': Former South Africa Star Reserves Big Praise On Rahane For His Great Run In WTC Final

It was Rahane who held the fort at one end and also forged a brilliant 109-run partnership alongside Shardul Thakur (51), helping India to 296 in the first innings after the Aussies scored a huge 469.

Ajinkya Rahane in action during WTC final 2023 against Australia. ( Image Source :Getty )

India’s veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane registered an outstanding promenade with the bat in the WTF final against Australia at the Oval in London. During the first innings, when the Indian team kept on losing wickets, it was Rahane who held the fort at one end and also forged a brilliant 109-run partnership alongside Shardul Thakur (51), helping India to 296 in the first innings after the Aussies scored a huge 469.

However, it was not easy for Rahane to seal a place in the playing XI of India for the WTC final. He was out of the team since January last year but then the 35-year-old batter registered outstanding knocks in the domestic seasons and followed it up by a great IPL 2023 for CSK.

Post his heroics with the bat, Rahane earned appreciation from former South Africa great AB de Villiers. “I’ve never seen Rahane move so well! Technique is sound and playing it late,” the former South Africa batter commented while replying to a tweet of broadcaster Harsha Bhogle.

I’ve never seen Rahane move so well! Technique is sound and playing it late👌

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 8, 2023

“Once again, Jadeja looked India's best batter and he is now a bonafide top 6 batter. And till that finger injury, Rahane looked very smooth and in excellent touch. But the top order is a concern and has to convert good-looking starts into large scores” Bhogle tweeted.

Once again, Jadeja looked India's best batter and he is now a bonafide top 6 batter. And till that finger injury, Rahane looked very smooth and in excellent touch. But the top order is a concern and has to convert good looking starts into large scores.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 8, 2023

Despite the Indian team were losing wickets, Rahane continued to take on Australian seamers and reached his fifty in style by hitting a six over the fine leg boundary against Pat Cummins.  While battling, the Mumbai-based batter showed sheer resilience as he suffered many body blows against the  Australia pacers, and also ended up getting an injury to his finger during his stay on the crease.