WTC Final 2023: ‘There have been many comebacks but…’, Sourav Ganguly hails ‘remarkable’ Rahane

Rahane, who made a comeback to the Indian Test team after a long gap of 18 months, played a sublime knock against a robust Australian bowling attack on Friday (June 9) to steer India away from a massive 1st inning deficit.

Despite India’s early struggles, the returning batter played an outstanding knock of 89 runs. He had two crucial partnerships with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur to take India closer to Australia’s mammoth total of 469 runs.

Rahane’s story in this WTC Final is nothing short of fairy tale. He was left out of the squad and then made a grand return in the IPL 2023 with Chennai Super Kings. His aggressive batting, domestic form and excellent IPL form coupled with some injury to the regulars earned him an unexpected spot in the Indian team for the WTC Final against Australia.

And upon returning, Rahane played a sublime knock, which has still kept India in the hunt for ICC glory. Ganguly was very impressed by the player and hailed his composure and calm demeanour to bail India out from a difficult situation.

The former India captain, who himself was known as the King of Comebacks says Rahane’s comeback eclipses everything.

“How good it is, after 18 months. He (Rahane) was away for 18 months from Test cricket, Many of them had written him off and probably he himself. It is not easy in Indian cricket as a batter to come back and make a statement. I think it is tremendous. There have been many comebacks in the past but not after such a long period,” Ganguly said after day’s play to broadcasters.

Amid India’s colossal batting collapse, Rahane stood tall and Ganguly thinks the 35-year-old set an example to the dressing room. He also had nice words to say about Shardul Thakur, who himself scored a crucial fifty in the first innings.

“He showed a lot to the dressing room that if you apply and if you have a little bit of luck which India have, you will be able to bat on this pitch, a lot of credit to Rahane, he was magnificent and Shardul Thakur as well. He has batted well for India. It’s a good fight for India,” the former India captain concluded.