Ajinkya Rahane: The secret behind first India Test century in two years

The 31-year-old spent 10 weeks with County Championship side Hampshire, which he believes was key to his return to form

Ajinkya Rahane has attributed his first Test century in two years for India to his spell in first-class cricket with Hampshire.

The 31-year-old hit 81 and 102 in the 318-run win over the West Indies to scoop the man-of-the-match award in the first Test at North Sound.

It was the first time Rahane has gone to three figures in the format since his hundred against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August 2017.

In preparation for the series, the right-hander played seven County Championship matches for Hants, scoring 307 runs at an average of 23.61.

That spell included a century on debut against Nottinghamshire and as Rahane broke his century duck he paid tribute to the Rose Bowl county.

“This hundred was special," he said. "My time with Hampshire really helped me. I dedicate this hundred to the people who backed me, supported me when I was going through a rough patch."

“It feels special. Getting this hundred after 29 or 30 innings. I’ve been getting 70s, but getting a 100 means a lot to me."

^{Ajinkya Rahane hit a fifty and a century in seven first-class matches for Hampshire}

Rahane came to the crease in the first innings with India struggling on 25 for 3 and put on partnerships worth 68 and 82 with KL Rahul and Hanuma Vihari to rebuild the innings.

And as the tourists build a handsome lead in their second innings he was part of century stands with captain Virat Kohli and an impressive Vihari.

“The first innings was crucial," he added. "We needed a partnership, and the partnership between Rahul and me was crucial.

"I think first day the wicket was damp. West Indies bowled really well in that session. But it was important to play as many balls as possible without thinking about runs.

“We wanted to bat 90-100 overs in the first innings knowing runs would come. In the second innings, Virat and I wanted to get a good partnership. We wanted to just bat, bat and bat.”

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