Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane's batting is built on stillness and late movement. Where others rush to dominate, he waits, letting the bowler reveal his hand before committing. His compact technique, with a high elbow and a quiet head, made him one of the few modern Indian batters to thrive in seam-friendly conditions, proven by Test centuries at Lord's and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

His Test career was a study in contrast: superb away from home, where his patient defence and square-of-the-wicket strokes produced match-winning knocks, less certain on turning home pitches. His finest chapter came in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when, standing in as captain, he made a century at the MCG and led a depleted side to a famous series win in Australia, sealed at the Gabba. That achievement remains one of India's greatest Test efforts.

A reliable slip fielder and a calm dressing-room presence, Rahane also served long stretches as India's Test vice-captain. In one-day cricket he was a dependable top-order option without ever making the format his own, and in the IPL he has played for several franchises, winning the 2023 title with Chennai Super Kings before moving on to captain Kolkata Knight Riders.

Rahane's career reflects the virtue of patience in an era defined by aggression. He lacked the dazzle of some contemporaries, but his correct, gritty method earned him more than 5,000 Test runs and the deep respect of teammates and opponents. His best came under pressure, when it mattered most.