Ajinkya Rahane sets new Test catches record

Galle, Aug 14 - With their team placed in a commanding position, Indian fans got another reason to cheer as Ajinkya Rahane became the first outfield player to take eight catches in a Test match on the third day of their game against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium here on Friday.

Rahane reached the milestone when he caught Rangana Herath at slip off the bowling of leg-spinner Amit Mishra.

Rahane, who had taken three catches during Sri Lanka's first innings, claimed five more during the hosts' second essay. The talented batsman thus surpassed five international players -- Yajuvindra Singh (India), Greg Chappell (Australia), Hashan Tilakaratne (Sri Lanka), Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) and Mathew Hayden (Australia), all of whom had taken seven catches in a Test match.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) took to social networking site Twitter to congratulate Rahane.

"RECORD BREAKER! Ajinkya Rahane takes 8 catches in a Test Match! #howzstat #SLvInd," the ICC tweeted on its official Twitter handle on Friday.

"Congratulations @ajinkyarahane88 on his record breaking feat during the 1st #SLvInd Test! #howzstat," it added.

Interestingly, both Yajuvindra and Rahane achieved their respective feats around India's independence day.

While Yajuvindra took his seven catches on his debut Test against England on August 16 in 1977, Rahane has created his world record on the eve of independence day.

India reached 23/1 in pursuit of 176 runs needed for victory after they bowled out Sri Lanka for 367 runs in their second innings on Friday.

(IANS)