Top 3 Test knocks by Indian batsmen this decade

#2 Ajinkya Rahane (103 at Lord’s, July 2014)

Ajinkya Rahane

Although 103 is not a big score in Test cricket, Ajinkya Rahane’s knock gets the vote considering the tough circumstances under which it was scored, and the eventual result.

After England inserted India into bat on a first-day Lord’s surface, their fast bowlers were licking their lips in anticipation. India’s fears came true as James Anderson and Liam Plunkett sent back openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay cheaply.

The hosts kept chipping away at the wickets as Pujara and Kohli fell in the 20s, and Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja for single figures.

At 145 for 7, it seemed like England had made the clinching difference on Day 1 itself. However, Rahane defied the rampant Englishmen with a technically proficient knock, bringing all his skill sets into play.

The Mumbai batsman featured in a 90-run stand for the eighth wicket with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (36).

Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane was the ninth man to fall, with the scoreboard reading 275. The current Indian vice-captain hit 15 fours and a six in his 154-ball stay, as India ended up posting a challenging 295.

Despite Bhuvneshwar’s 6 for 82, England responded with 319 all out as Gary Ballance struck 110 and Plunkett made an unbeaten 55.

Set to chase 319 to win the match after Vijay’s 95 and fifties from Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar, Ishant Sharma ensured that Rahane’s efforts on the opening day did not go in vain, with splendid returns of 7 for 74. India won the Test by 95 runs.