Ajinkya Rahane became the 22nd Indian to pass the 3000-run milestone in Test matches after he scored a gritty fifty in the third Test against England at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

Photo credit: Nottinghamshire CCC/Twitter

Having endured a tough tour, India were put in to bat and soon found themselves reeling at 82 for 3 courtesy Chris Woakes. It was here that Rahane came to the crease and forged a tenacious 159-run partnership with captain Virat Kohli in just 242 balls as the pair rotated the strike and scythed boundaries to keep the England field on their toes.

This is the Ajinkya Rahane we are familiar with. #EngvInd

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) 18 August 2018

It was a significant partnership as the second session was the first in the three Tests so far wherein India didn't lose a wicket, which evolved into the team’s first 100-run stand in the series.

In the process, Rahane became only the second Indian in the series, after skipper Kohli, to score a fifty, ending his 14 innings-drought since his 132 against Sri Lanka last August.

Decisive feet movement. Playing close to the body. Knowing where the off stump is. There’s so much like in today’s innings by Rahane. This is the Rahane we’ve seen do well overseas👌👏☺️ #EngvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 18 August 2018

The North Mumbai Panthers captain in the inaugural T20 Mumbai season brought up his 13th career half-century in just 76 balls by slapping a Woakes delivery to cover-point for four. He also brought up his 3000th Test run with boundary, although with an edge through the slips. He faced just 131 balls for his 81, helped by 12 hits to the fence.

It eventually took a stunning one-handed reflex catch by Alastair Cook at first slip to send the Indian deputy back after he nicked a full-length Stuart Broad-ball, with the team standing at 241 for 4 at the time.