Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir feels that former vice-captain of Test side Ajinkya Rahane might find it difficult to find a place in playing XI for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.
Ajinkya Rahane has failed to make an impact with the bat for a long time despite scoring a match-winning century against Australia in MCG. His numbers in Test cricket since 2020 have become one of the major concerns for Team India.
The Mumbaikar averages just over 19 this year in the longest format of the game. He recently missed the second Test against New Zealand due to an injury, which invited some speculation about his form too.
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Many feel that it was a respectable way for the team management to drop him and it’ll be difficult for Ajinkya Rahane to make a comeback in the Indian line-up given the bench strength and talent in the side.
Even though Rahane found a place in the 18-member squad for the three-Test series against South Africa, he lost his vice-captaincy to Rohit Sharma and there are a lot of speculations about whether he’ll feature in the playing XI or not, given the presence of Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari.
Speaking on Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir said that with the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari, who have performed well, Ajinkya Rahane will find it difficult to get a place in the Indian playing XI against South Africa.
“Tough, that is what I can say because he is not a starter, to be honest. I feel Ajinkya Rahane will find it difficult to get a place in the playing XI. You have got Shreyas Iyer; it will be very difficult for India or the captain to drop him because of his recent performances. At the same time, Hanuma Vihari has done really well as well,” Gautam Gambhir said.
While talking about Ajinkya Rahane’s inclusion in the team for South Africa Tests, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar said that he should’ve been picked because of the "experience" factor in overseas conditions.
He pointed out that although there’s no confirmation about Rahane playing the first Test match but the practice match Team India plays before the series will be critical.
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"Ajinkya Rahane has got a place for the South Africa tour, and he should have got picked as well because you will definitely need experience there. Whether he gets to play in the first Test match is a question mark and the first match that is played before the Test match is going to be critical,” Sanjay Bangar said.
Indian’s tour of South Africa will kick start with the Boxing Day Test from December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion followed by the second Test at Johannesburg from January 3 to 7. The final Test will take place in Cape Town from January 11 to 15.
After that, both teams will lock horns in three-match ODI series, which will be played from 19th January to 23rd January.
(Star Sports inputs)
