Ajinkya Rahane Has To Sort Out His Game Plan Against Short-Pitched Deliveries: VVS Laxman

Former Indian middle-order batsman VVS Laxman has opened up on where Ajinkya Rahane needs to improve to arrest his lean run. India and England will lock horns in five Tests, starting from the 4th of August in Nottingham and Ajinkya Rahane would be one of those in focus due to his inconsistency. VVS Laxman feels the veteran needs to sort out his struggles against the short-pitched deliveries.

Ajinkya Rahane has not pulled his weight off late, getting out without making a significant contribution with the bat. The 34-year old struggles against short-pitched deliveries and left-arm seamer Neil Wagner has exploited it multiple times. The right-handed batsman has managed 267 runs in seven Tests this year at 21.92 and must score heaps of runs to deliver India’s first Test series victory in England since 2007.

According to VVS Laxman, Ajinkya Rahane’s presence in the Indian team is critical, mainly in overseas conditions. The 34-year old recalled his innings at the Lord’s in 2014, Melbourne in 2020, and his performance against South Africa in home Tests to script India’s victory.

“Ajinkya Rahane is a very important member of this Indian batting line-up, especially in overseas conditions. I still remember the way he batted at Lord’s, in Melbourne and also the way he batted in South Africa was instrumental in India winning those Test matches,” Laxman said during a discussion on Star Sports.

We saw that in the series against New Zealand and in the WTC final: VVS Laxman

However, VVS Laxman pointed out that one thing that Ajinkya Rahane needs to sort out, which is his game plan against short-pitched deliveries. The 47-year old stated it resurfaced against New Zealand in early 2020 and the World Test Championship final.

“The one thing I feel that Ajinkya Rahane has to sort out is his game plan against short-pitched deliveries. We saw that in the series against New Zealand, we also saw that in the World Test Championship final,” he added.

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