How Ajinkya Rahane Led India’s Historic Australia Comeback

Ajinkya Rahane’s greatest contribution to Indian cricket may not be measured by the 5,000-plus Test runs or the 12 centuries he amassed over a distinguished career. Instead, it lies in a four-match stretch in Australia that transformed one of India’s darkest moments into arguably its finest overseas triumph.

The backdrop could scarcely have been bleaker. India had been bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, its lowest Test total, and Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave after the opening defeat. Australia, with a full-strength pace attack, appeared poised to dominate the rest of the series.

Rahane, however, brought something India desperately needed: composure.

Unlike captains who seek to inspire through emotion or aggression, Rahane led with calm assurance. His unbeaten 112 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Boxing Day Test restored belief to a shell-shocked dressing room and levelled the series.

As injuries mounted and India lost Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari at different stages, Rahane resisted the temptation to retreat into defensive cricket. Instead, he trusted an inexperienced group that included Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, T. Natarajan and Shardul Thakur.

That faith culminated in one of Test cricket’s greatest victories. India breached Australia’s fortress at the Gabba, ending the host’s 32-year unbeaten run at the venue to seal a remarkable 2-1 series win.

His captaincy record, four wins and two draws from six Tests without a defeat, reflects that quiet effectiveness. But numbers alone cannot capture his impact.

The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains one of Indian cricket’s defining achievements, and Rahane was its steadying force.

Published on Jul 30, 2026