'One of the best No. 5 in Test' - Twitter overflows with wishes as Ajinkya Rahane turns 34

One of the finest batters for India in the longest format, Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his 34th birthday today (June 6) and various cricketers around the world sent their wishes for him. Rahane first came through the ranks in IPL 2008 for the Mumbai Indians after being a consistent run-scorer in Ranji Trophy, however, it was the 2011 season where the name got familiarised under Shane Warne for the Rajasthan Royals.

He went on to make his international debut for India in T20Is in 2011 against England and started with a bang scoring a half-century. He had to wait a long time to make his Test debut, in 2013, but it was worth the wait as he soon became a vital cog in the line-up. Rahane took up Laxman’s position at number five once the latter retired and his sensational century at Lord’s to help India’s victory in 2014 will be remembered for ages.

He went on to play a lot more high-class innings in Tests, and soon became the saviour of the Indian batting line-up. In fact, he was at the peak of his powers in 2016 in international cricket and it soon looked India had found a gem. However, his hard-earned success seemed to fade off in 2017 when he went through a rough phase against Sri Lanka and was dropped for the first time. Since then, he has been good in patches and has never been able to find his consistency again, which was a major factor earlier.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Ajinkya Rahane’s birthday

One of the most underrated cricketers, and the man who led India to it's greatest ever overseas Test series win. Happy Birthday @ajinkyarahane88 . May God give you the strength to fight every challenge. pic.twitter.com/0isbDzFGOc

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 6, 2022

1⃣9⃣2⃣ international games 👍
8⃣2⃣6⃣8⃣ international runs 👌

Here's wishing @ajinkyarahane88 a very happy birthday. 🎂 👏#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/WaPbuUijxl

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 6, 2022

One from our favourites folder. 💌

Happy birthday, @ajinkyarahane88! 💗 pic.twitter.com/OOKOSCfen8

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 6, 2022

Many happy returns of the day @ajinkyarahane88. Wish you the best in the upcoming year. pic.twitter.com/CYUgKp0U3i

— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 6, 2022

A very happy birthday brother @ajinkyarahane88 🤗 Wishing you happiness and success in the coming year. Enjoy your day! pic.twitter.com/iVROgWX5q1

— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) June 6, 2022

Mitra many happy returns of the day. #HBD ⁦@ajinkyarahane88⁩ pic.twitter.com/88af7NjfwF

— Sunandan Lele (@sunandanlele) June 6, 2022

Happy Birthday to a top man @ajinkyarahane88. Look forward to runs flowing again this year

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 6, 2022

Happy birthday @ajinkyarahane88 🤗 Keep smiling. Have a fabulous year ahead. pic.twitter.com/OEeGJSryFM

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 6, 2022

It’s time for us to sing the birthday song for Ajju dada 💜

Join us in wishing @ajinkyarahane88 Happy Birthday 🎂 #AmiKKR #HappyBirthdayAjinkya pic.twitter.com/gVzHrgBsOg

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) June 6, 2022

Happy Birthday @ajinkyarahane88 – one of the best number 5 in Test cricket in the last decade – 112 at MCG in 2020, 103 at Lord's in 2014, 48 at Wanders in 2018, 70 at Adelaide in 2018 – contributed to many memorable overseas Test wins – Lead India in 2020-21 BGT. pic.twitter.com/gDzuhystC3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 6, 2022

Ajinkya Rahane is the 5th Indian to score a century in both innings of a Test. Hero for India in the previous Border Gavaskar Trophy, only the second Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia.

Happy birthday, @ajinkyarahane88. pic.twitter.com/oRaGENvZET

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 6, 2022

Ajinkya Rahane’s strong comeback in the World Test Championship 2019-2021

He was always a man of comebacks, and in 2019, he proved to everyone that he still got the goods with a brilliant century for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In fact, he topped the run charts for India in the 2019-2021 World Test Championship cycle. Also, Rahane captained India to the historic Test series victory in Australia under huge pressure and led from the front with a brilliant century in Melbourne that will be etched in the memories for a long time.

However, some inconsistent returns from the batter saw him getting axed for the first time after the South Africa tour last year and is no longer part of the limited-overs squad. With 8268 international runs in 192 international games, Rahane seems to be capable of more.