Ajinkya Rahane took an excellent and important catch at first slip in the third Australia-India Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, sparking discussions over where he ranks among his country’s best in the cordon.
The grab off the bowling off Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership between Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne which had just ticked into three figures.
In an attempt to rock back and cut the left-arm spinner, Labuschagne ended up getting an edge that was pouched by a sharp Rahane, diving to his right, at first slip.
Watch the catch here:
Out – Labuschagne is out for 91 following a sharp catch from Rahane at slip.
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/xdDaedY10F pic.twitter.com/CzSnX2Hiv4
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
Social media went full on in praise of the stand-in Indian skipper, who is an exemplary slip fielder.
In whatever way Ajinkya Rahane is remembered as a Test batsman in years to come, you could never deny him a position in the top 3 Indian slip catchers of all time #AUSvIND
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 8, 2021
Rahane at slip to a spinner is *kisses fingers*
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) January 8, 2021
Good bowling by Jadeja and great catch by Rahane, whose understated brilliance at first slip to spinners is not spoken about as much as it should be.
68 matches, 86 catches, Ct/Inn 0.666pic.twitter.com/G4EuYlngZu
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) January 8, 2021
That was a beauty at wide first slip by Rahane. Marnus gone for 91. #AusvInd
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) January 8, 2021
Rahane was compared to Rahul Dravid, often hailed as the most accomplished slip fielder India ever had, by some fans.
Rahane is the best slip fielder in India after Dravid. #AUSvsIND
— Raj V (@rgv2804) January 8, 2021
Dravid, Rahane, and Azharuddin.
— Uday Joshi (@udayjoshi98) January 8, 2021
Rahane has to be right up there with Rahul Dravid to be among the best Indian slip fielders to spinners of all time. What a sharp grab to knock Ganga over. Great technique, quick reflexes. Quality. #INDvsAUS
— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) January 8, 2021
