[Watch] Ajinkya Rahane pulls off spectacular reverse sweep en route to 60-ball 71 on Leicestershire debut

[Credit: @onedaycup X handle] Rahane was at his stylish best to begin his 2024 English county stint

Team India batter Ajinkya Rahane began his Leicestershire stint in style, scoring a magnificent 71 off 60 deliveries in the 2024 England One Day Cup opener against Nottinghamshire on July 24. The 36-year-old even pulled off an uncharacteristic reverse-sweep off left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White after crossing his half-century.

Rahane's knock included nine boundaries with most coming off his favorite straight-batted and back foot drives. The veteran batter was eventually dismissed in the 48th over, helping Leicestershire pile on a massive 369/6 in 50 overs.

Here is a video of Rahane's delightful knock with the reverse sweep coming at [0:51]:

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Leicestershire are the defending champions of the One Day Cup, having defeated Hampshire in last year's finale.

Ajinkya Rahane will play the entire One Day Cup and the final five matches of the County Championship Division Two games for the county side. He was slated to play for Leicestershire last year but had to miss the season due to national commitments.

Meanwhile, Leicestershire had two other batters - Soloman Budinger and Lewis Hill score half-centuries in their high-octane innings. Defending 370, their bowlers have begun in a disciplined fashion, keeping Nottinghamshire to 41/0 in 8 overs.

"I really enjoy playing in England" - Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane spoke about the challenges of playing in English conditions after joining the Leicestershire squad on July 23.

The 36-year-old has had mixed results with the willow in England, averaging 31.29 across formats in 27 outings. Yet, arguably his best knock in Indian colors came on English soil when he scored a defiant 103 on a green pitch during India's famous win at Lord's in 2014.

"I really enjoy playing in England. Have always thought it is the best conditions for any cricketer as it keeps you humble, keeps you grounded as conditions change very qucikly so you've to adapt and to the different sitiuations and be flexible in your mindset. As a cricketer I have always felt whenever you leave England, you learn something or the other and go as an improved cricketer," said Rahane to the Foxes TV YouTube channel.

Rahane also scored an ODI century in the same 2014 tour at Edgbaston in a nine-wicket win for India.

The champion batter has amassed over 8,000 international and 26,000 domestic runs in his illustrious career.