SA v IND 2018: Ajinkya Rahane likely to return in the third Test against South Africa

Rahane was seen sweating it out at nets in Johannesburg.

Ajinkya Rahane was dropped from the team in the first two Tests against South Africa | AFP

After conceding an unassailable 2-0 lead to the Proteas in the ongoing Test series, Team India have now hinted at Ajinkya Rahane’s inclusion for the forthcoming Johannesburg Test, scheduled to start on Wednesday (January 24).

India’s Test vice-captain Rahane, who has scored runs at an average of 69.66 in his last South Africa tour back in 2013-14, was left out of the playing XI for the first two Tests in Cape Town and Centurion at the expense of Rohit Sharma citing the latter’s “current form”.

However, Rohit couldn’t quite prove his mettle against the fiery Proteas pace attack as he amassed only 78 runs in 4 innings at a miserable average of 19.50.

If Sunday’s practice session at the Wanderers was any indication, then Rahane can be expected in the playing XI to cushion the fragile looking Indian batting lineup. As per the reports in PTI, Rahane was seen padded up and lined up along with captain Virat Kohli and all-rounder Hardik Pandya to sweat it out at the nets.

Reports further suggest that Rahane went back into the nets for an extended session. Kohli and Rahane were the last ones to walk out of a nearly four-hour-long training session.

The world No. 1 Test team conceded the first Test in Cape Town by 72 runs and then suffered humiliating 135 runs defeat in the second Test to surrender an unassailable lead. Virat Kohli and company will now look to salvage some pride in the third and final Test at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.

Following the Test series, the Men in Blue are schedule to play six ODIs and three T20Is against the Proteas.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 22 Jan, 2018

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