Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli
Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman is of the opinion that Ajinkya Rahane should play both the remaining Test matches against England irrespective of his form.

Rahane, who is India’s vice-captain in Test format, hasn’t scored enough runs with the only time he stepped up was in Lord’s where his 61 helped India revive their innings. The Mumbai batsman averages 19.00 from the three matches he has played in the series so far.

I would still keep my faith in Ajinkya Rahane: VVS Laxman

Rahane led India in the most challenging conditions and situations in Australia in the absence of Virat Kohli, in the Melbourne Test he slammed a century against Australia as India equalised the series 1-1.

Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane (Image Credit: Twitter)

Laxman backed Rahane based on his leadership qualities and would not risk dropping him from the team.

“Definitely there is no doubt that Rahane hasn’t performed to his potential. Having said that I look at Rahane as a leader in this Indian team. He is part of the core group. We know what he has done as a captain in Australia after getting dismissed at 36,” Laxman told ESPNcricinfo. 

“It was Rahane’s hundred that pulled back the series for India at Melbourne. What a brilliant knock that was. Such players even if they are going from a lean patch, I would still keep my faith in him. I would not even think of excluding him from both the Test matches,” he added. 

India are overly dependent on Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to get runs: VVS Laxman

Rohit Sharma (230) and KL Rahul (252) are India’s highest run-getters in the series as of now and the two batsmen have provided the team with some quick-fire runs.

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Laxman feels that India is being much dependent on the openers and thinks the team management will include an extra batsman for the fourth Test.

VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman (Image Credit: Twitter)

“One department that hasn’t played to its potential is the batting department. In all three Test matches, I felt that the middle order was tested. They are overly dependent on Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to get runs. So I definitely feel playing that extra batsman will be something that Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri will be thinking about,” VVS Laxman said. 

The fourth Test will be played at Kennington Oval in London, beginning on September 2.

Also Read: England vs India 2021: It’s Possible That You Can See A Change- Zaheer Khan Hints At Ajinkya Rahane’s Exclusion