Ajinkya Rahane starts 'fresh' with unbeaten double century in Duleep Trophy

The veteran Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane smashed a double century in the quarter-final clash of the Duleep Trophy 2022 on his return from the injury. The former vice-captain last played competitive cricket for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2022 in May 2022. He suffered a hamstring injury during IPL 2022 season which ruled him out of India's tour to England in June and the second half of the Ranji Trophy 2022 campaign with Mumbai.

The 34-year-old batter is captaining the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy this season. The youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithwi Shaw gave West Zone a bright start with a quick 206-run partnership for the first wicket against North East Zone. Shaw smashed 113 runs off 121 balls before getting caught out but Rahane, playing at number three, continued the good start with sensible batting with Jaiswal.

Rahane and Jaiswal formed a 333-run partnership for the second wicket and went on to score double hundred each. Jaiswal scored 228 runs off 321 balls before getting out in the first session of day three. Rahane remained unbeaten on 207 runs off just 264 balls before declaring an innings on 590 runs.

I'm looking forward to start from zero again: Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane was dropped from the squad after India's 2-1 Test series loss against South Africa earlier this year. But he is showing a strong will to eye a quick return to the national team setup. Before his double hundred knock in the Duleep Trophy, he scored a century against Saurashtra and smashed fifty against Goa in the 2022 Ranji Trophy as well. Before the start of the Duleep Trophy, Rahane stated that he is looking for a fresh start and is looking for a great domestic season this year.

"It [a full-fledged domestic season] is really important. I'm looking forward to starting from zero again. For me, I don't want to think about my past or future; it's about being in the moment, and that's why I said I want to start from zero again. You always get goosebumps when you go on the field, and I always like that feeling," Ajinkya Rahane said on his return from the injury.