Ajinkya Rahane’s average in Test cricket has hovered around the 30 mark in his last 50 Tests, a sample size large enough to drop most players regardless of their status. However, India will back him for another game, feels VVS Laxman, and he could play at the expense of Shreyas Iyer, which he deems will be unfortunate.
Iyer made a stellar debut, becoming the first male Indian cricketer to score a hundred and half-century in his first Test. He scored those runs under tremendous pressure, counter-attacked the Kiwis and impressed everyone with his approach. He conjured up a total of 170 runs in both innings (105 + 65).
With Virat Kohli returning to the Indian setup in the second Test, it looks like Iyer could make way for the Indian captain despite the wonderful job he has done.
According to Laxman, Rahane might get to play this game being a senior player and since Iyer was the player replacing Kohli in this Test, he will be making way directly.
“You want someone in Mumbai to play in good form. However, I think there is an unwritten rule that whoever is injured or whoever misses out.
The senior player, in this case, Virat Kohli, will return and senior players Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara who haven’t been in great form, especially Ajinkya Rahane will still get one more chance in Mumbai.
Unfortunately, it will force the team to leave out someone who has had a fantastic debut. It will be unfortunate but I think that has been the rule as far this Indian team is concerned,”
VVS Laxman said.
The criticism surrounding Rahane has intensified in recent months, with the cricketer struggling to score runs batting in a crucial position. With the number of talented batters knocking on the door as it stands, it may not be possible for the management to back Rahane for a long time.
His career batting average, which was well above 45 a couple of years ago, has come under 40 now, and he has scored just one half-century in 2021.
