Commentator Aakash Chopra feels that it’ll be difficult for senior batter Ajinkya Rahane to find a place in the Indian playing XI for the upcoming three-Test series in South Africa.
Ajinkya Rahane has failed to make an impact with the bat for a long time barring 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.
Rahane averages just over 19 in Tests this year. Despite being in poor form the right-hander was included in the 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa.
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After he was replaced as India Test team vice-captaincy to Rohit Sharma, there are a lot of speculations about whether he’ll feature in the playing XI or not against South Africa, given the presence of Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari.
Speaking in a video shared on KOO, cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra said that in Rohit Sharma’s absence KL Rahul being named as Test vice-captain depicts that the latter can be appointed as vice-captain in ODIs also.
He pointed out Ajinkya Rahane may find it difficult to find a place in playing XI for Tests against South Africa. He stressed how things in Indian cricket are changing as the right-hander captained team couple of Test matches ago but is not even a vice-captain now.
"KL Rahul has been appointed as India's Test vice-captain (for the South Africa series as Rohit Sharma is injured. Rahul Dravid is the coach, Rohit is the captain of white-ball formats. I think Rahul may be appointed vice-captain in ODIs also.
“Ajinkya Rahane might find it difficult to find a place in the XI. He was captain just a couple of Test matches ago but right now he's not even the vice-captain. Things are changing in Indian cricket," Aakash Chopra said.
India’s tour of South Africa will kick start with the Boxing Day Test from December 26 at 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.
