Ajinkya Rahane scored 35 and 4 runs in first Test match against New Zealand.
Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman feels that despite struggling to score runs, Ajinkya Rahane will get one more chance to prove his mettle when the hosts take on New Zealand in the second Test in Mumbai from December 3rd.
Ajinkya Rahane’s lean patch with the bat continued in the ongoing first Test match against New Zealand in Kanpur. Even though he looked very positive and showed great determination in the first innings, he failed to leave an impact and couldn’t capitalize on the start he got.
In the second innings, when the hosts lost early wickets, everyone expected Ajinkya Rahane to play a captain’s knock and help his team to set a respectable total.
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However, this wasn’t the case as he didn’t look settled at all and took 14 balls to open his account. He then was back in the hut on the very next delivery for 4 runs.
Rahane’s poor form has raised certain questions about his place in the team. With Shreyas Iyer having a dream debut, there would be a massive headache for team management about whom to leave out from the playing XI when Virat Kohli returns for the second Test in Mumbai.
Talking about the same, VVS Laxman said that it’s going to be a tough choice for selectors especially with the way Shreyas Iyer batted and rescued the Indian innings.
"Yes, it's going to be a tough choice because of the way he batted, the way he rescued the innings. The way some of those batters got out in the morning session, it's certainly a selection dilemma," VVS Laxman said on Star Sports.
Although Laxman admitted that batter in good form should play the second Test in Mumbai, he feels that being a senior batter Ajinkya Rahane will get one more chance as Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli will back him and will not leave him out.
"You want someone in Mumbai to play in good form. However, I think there is an unwritten rule that whoever is injured or whoever misses out... the senior player, in this case, Virat Kohli, will return and senior players Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara who haven't been in great form, especially Ajinkya Rahane will still get one more chance in Mumbai. I don't think Rahul Dravid or Virat Kohli will leave out Rahane,” he said.
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VVS Laxman further said that despite his heroics on his Test debut, Shreyas Iyer might have to sit out for the second Test in Mumbai.
"Unfortunately, it will force the team to leave out someone who has had a fantastic debut. It will be unfortunate but I think that has been the rule as far this Indian team is concerned,” he said.
The second Test between India and New Zealand will take place in Mumbai from 3rd December.
(Star Sports inputs)