AJINKYA RAHANE
Ajinkya Rahane, the once dependable batsman has become a shell of his former self. He had made a comeback of sorts against West Indies right after the World Cup in 2019, where he scored a century after two years.
He even had good outings at home against the Proteas and Bangladesh. But in the recently concluded series against New Zealand, he once again failed to impress.
He scored 46 in the first innings of the first Test, but after that was troubled by the bouncers of Kiwi pacers. He was even called a tail-ender by Harbhajan Singh after his dismissal in the second Test in Christchurch. Rahane was hopping and skipping, taking his eyes off the ball and getting hit numerous times.
He has a decent record in Australia with 616 runs in 15 Test innings with one century and 4 half-centuries and averages 44.00. However, given his current form on away tours, especially with his visible struggles against moving ball and short-pitched deliveries; the Indian selectors may not have the confidence of taking him to Australia for the four-Test tour later this year.
He is limited to playing Tests only and is no longer in contention for ODIs and T20Is, giving him fewer opportunities to play outside India and get constant international exposure. But his form and confidence are both visibly shot after New Zealand sojourn, something that may be held against him when the team for Australia tour will be selected.
