Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar was impressed with Ajinkya Rahane’s performance on Day 1 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Centurion, saying him losing India’s Test vice-captaincy might be a blessing in disguise.
Rahane came on the South Africa tour with a lot of pressure on his shoulders after losing the Test vice-captaincy role, and even his place in India’s playing XI was uncertain. However, the team management backed him for the ongoing opening Test of the three-match Test series in Centurion.
Well, the right-hander got off to a positive start on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion. During his one-and-a-half-hour stay on Sunday, the middle-order batter looked in supreme touch, as he was seen driving and pulling with conviction and punishing each and every loose ball that came his way.
Rahane remained unbeaten on 40 at the stumps of the first day of the Boxing Day Test, hitting 8 crisply-timed boundaries, and has already added 73 runs with the opener KL Rahul (122*) against South Africa.
Bangar told Star Sports: “At times, certain events can actually relieve you, maybe, lessen the burden a bit. Him being relieved of the vice-captaincy would have sent a particular signal to him, which obviously plays on every players' mind. He has come out all guns blazing. He has been very positive in his footwork, he has put away all the bad balls.”
He signed off by saying, “He is the sort of player who likes to get good and quick starts. That was very similar to the way Rahul Dravid used to start his innings. He used to like to get to, say 20, in quick time so that there is less pressure on him. And that's why Rahane also shows a similar pattern. All the innings where he has been successful, he has gotten off to flyers and then settled in nicely.”
