Sportsperson of the week: Ajinkya Rahane
Rahane managed to register hundreds in both innings of the fourth and final Test for India
PHOTO: AFP
In a series where no other player scored a century, Rahane managed to register hundreds in both innings of the fourth and final Test — only the fourth Indian to do so — against South Africa to give his side a 3-0 series win.
Rahane has often struggled for consistency and has been moved around in the batting order but he showed his class in both innings to finish the highest run-getter in the series for either side.
The right-hander dragged India from 139-6 — after the hosts had lost three wickets for three runs — to 334. In the second innings, his century took them from 57-4 to 267-5. His runs helped India make history as they claimed their biggest ever victory margin (337) in terms of runs.
His twin centuries were all the more impressive when you consider that Rahane’s average at home before this series was 7.83, with a top score of 15.
Honourable mentions:
2. Virat Kohli
The 27-year-old won his first home series as captain against the best side in the world. Impressed with his leadership and capped it off with a superb final Test from an individual standpoint.
3. Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian continues to go from strength to strength and grabbed a hat-trick for Leicester as Jamie Vardy’s remarkable scoring streak finally came to an end. His goals ensured the Foxes continued their incredible season and are now two points clear at the top of the league.
4. André Schubert
Mighty Bayern Munich suffered the first league defeat of the season to Schubert’s unfancied Borrusia Monchengladbach side as Pep Guardiola’s men ended on the wrong side of a 3-1 defeat.
Rahane has often struggled for consistency and has been moved around in the batting order but he showed his class in both innings to finish the highest run-getter in the series for either side.
The right-hander dragged India from 139-6 — after the hosts had lost three wickets for three runs — to 334. In the second innings, his century took them from 57-4 to 267-5. His runs helped India make history as they claimed their biggest ever victory margin (337) in terms of runs.
His twin centuries were all the more impressive when you consider that Rahane’s average at home before this series was 7.83, with a top score of 15.
Honourable mentions:
2. Virat Kohli
The 27-year-old won his first home series as captain against the best side in the world. Impressed with his leadership and capped it off with a superb final Test from an individual standpoint.
3. Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian continues to go from strength to strength and grabbed a hat-trick for Leicester as Jamie Vardy’s remarkable scoring streak finally came to an end. His goals ensured the Foxes continued their incredible season and are now two points clear at the top of the league.
4. André Schubert
Mighty Bayern Munich suffered the first league defeat of the season to Schubert’s unfancied Borrusia Monchengladbach side as Pep Guardiola’s men ended on the wrong side of a 3-1 defeat.