Team India head coach Rahul Dravid opined on Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane’s form with the bat, after his scores of 35 and 4 in the recently drawn first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur on November 29, 2021.
Not only has Rahane not been amongst the runs, his average throughout the 12 games this year is less than 20. He has just under 700 runs in almost 30 innings since 2020 with just 1 century and a couple of fifties to his name.
Asked if Rahane's poor form is a cause for concern for him, Dravid said: "I mean you don't get worried. Of course, you would like more runs from Ajinkya, he would like to score more runs. He is a quality player and he has done well for India in the past. He is one of those guys who has quality and experience and it's a matter of a game when he would like to turn it around and he knows that and we know that.”
Further, Dravid was non-committal in answering who will make way for Virat Kohli in the playing XI, as the captain returns for the second and final Test in New Zealand in Mumbai, which begins from December 3rd onwards.
"Look, we haven't decided what will be our playing XI and it's too early. At least, today our focus was on this game and when we go to Mumbai, we will assess the conditions and check people's fitness. Virat Kohli will join us so we have to discuss with him also and then take a decision," he side-stepped the question.
However, the former India captain was happy with the way Shreyas Iyer performed in his Test debut, making 105 and 65 in two innings in Kanpur.
"It's great to see the young guys come through and perform straightaway on debut and we saw that with one or two of the players in T20 as well and they made a good account of themselves. A young kid doing well in 1st Test for India and it's not only a good reflection of that person (player) but also a good reflection of the system. Fact that we have been able to develop not just India A but also he has played for Mumbai, in club cricket,” Dravid praised Iyer.
Dravid had no hesitation in admitting that had everyone been fit and available Iyer might not have got a chance, but when he got it, he had grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
"Shreyas had to work very had and had to earn it. It wasn't easy for him. Of course, he averages over 50 in first-class cricket but he hadn't played first-class cricket for 3 years. He wouldn't have made the level if we haven't had injuries and he has taken it (opportunity) with both hands and shown his qualities," the pleased coach stated.
(PTI inputs)
