Rahane – who was batting on 89 – was looking set to complete yet another imperious Test century on foreign soil and in a big ICC event. The right-handed batter played a special knock in a high-stakes contest and it required something equally important from the bowling side.
And that special moment came in the second over of the post-lunch session on day three to end Rahane’s resistance. Batting on 89, Rahane tried to guide a Pat Cummins’ delivery towards the third man but an alert Green – standing at 1.98m tall – showed superb reflexes and jumped towards his right to take a blinder.
It all happened in split seconds and Rahane – who was looking en route to a memorable century – was also left stunned by Green’s electrifying fielding. It proved to be a big moment in the game for Australia as Rahane’s departure opened the floodgates for the bowling side.
MUST WATCH! ЁЯШп
The absolute screamer from Cameron Green to dismiss the well-set Ajinkya Rahane ЁЯУ╜#WTC23 | #AUSvIND
тАФ ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2023
India were eventually restricted to 296 in their first innings and the Pat Cummins-led side took a massive 173 runs lead in the game. Rahane shared a 109-run stand with Shardul Thakur for the seventh wicket and kept his team in the game. With his knock in London, Rahane sent a strong statement on his return to the Test side by playing a memorable knock of 89 and saved India a massive embarrassment.
Team India found themselves in a tricky situation after the much-vaunted top order failed to live up to the expectations. But Rahane, who was included in the Indian squad as a replacement for Shreyas Iyer, showcased his class and held the fort, first with Ravindra Jadeja and later with Shardul Thakur.