Veteran India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes that Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara will travel to South Africa for the three-match Test series later this month, considering the fact that Rahul Dravid is India's head coach.
Well, the future of Rahane and Pujara is hanging by a thread following the impressive performances by Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer in the recent two-match Test series against New Zealand at home.
But Karthik insisted that Dravid will go with the tried and tested combination of Pujara and Rahane in the upcoming Test series in South Africa despite the fact that the duo has been struggling with the bat, as he doesn’t expect many changes in India’s squad for the upcoming tour.
Team India is scheduled to play three Tests, starting on December 26, and as many as ODIs in South Africa.
Karthik told Cricbuzz: “Another man there who is hanging on by the skin of the teeth is Rahane. He is the vice-captain and has done phenomenally well as a captain. Where does he stand? But knowing Rahul Dravid, he will go with the tried and tested method of going with Pujara and Rahane to start with, and then when things unfold he will allow it to unravel and makes changes necessary.”
He further added, “All these guys will be on the plane to South Africa and will be in the XI as well. Don't see too many changes as well, maybe one odd change.”
Meanwhile, Karthik felt for Hanuma Vihari, saying he should have been part of the home Test series against New Zealand. He has impressed with the bat for India A, hitting two fifties against South Africa A, but he isn't sure where exactly Vihari fits into the Indian Test team.
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He further explained, “This whole group of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Mayank Agarwal will be the three openers, followed by Pujara, Rahane and Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill will be the batters. Don't know what will happen to Hanuma Vihari.
Ideally, he should have been part of the squad, but it's sad that he had to go and play for India A. Are they going to fit him in when he comes back to the squad? Because everyone here has done enough to hold on to their places.”
Karthik signed off by saying, “Even the ones getting 30s and 40s, which cannot be undervalued, have looked set on tough wickets. Kanpur and Mumbai were not easy wickets. They applied themselves and played good shots. So where does a Vihari fit in that's an important question. Has Iyer done enough to come and take over Vihari's place?”
(Cricbuzz inputs)
