My Issue With Rahane The Captain Is Rahane The Batsman: Sanjay Manjrekar After Ajinkya Rahane's Horror Show In Chennai

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has pointed out the inconsistency in Ajinkya Rahane’s batting following his failure in both the innings of the first Test against England in Chennai.

Ajinkya Rahane scored a brilliant match-winning hundred during the first innings of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

But since then, the Indian vice-captain has failed to build on his ton and have managed scores of 27*, 22, 4, 37, 24, 1 & 0 in his last seven innings.

Rahane endured a couple of low scores in the first Test in Chennai. He was dismissed for 1 in the first innings thanks to a one-handed stunner by skipper Joe Root.

Then in the second innings, the Test vice-captain was undone by James Anderson in what was a masterclass of reverse-swing bowling.

Rahane was nearly dismissed twice on successive deliveries by James Anderson.

He survived a close LBW call on the second delivery that he faced after he was trapped right in front of the wicket. However, Umpire Nitin Menon thought otherwise and he was vindicated by ball-tracking after England decided to review.

However, his luck was short-lived as Anderson, just as he had done with Shubman Gill, earlier in the over, sent Rahane’s stumps for a cartwheel after he dished out yet another booming inswinger.

Rahane planted a huge stride forward and it was enough for Anderson to exploit the huge gap between his bat and pads.

Following India’s brilliant win in Australia under his leadership, a lot of fans have been calling for Ajinkya Rahane to take over the leadership duties from Virat Kohli.

However, Manjrekar pointed towards Rahane’s inconsistent form as his biggest issue with Rahane the captain.

“My issue with Rahane the captain is Rahane the batsman. After that 100 in Melbourne his scores are – 27*, 22, 4, 37, 24, 1 & 0. After a 100, class players carry their form & carry the burden of players out of form. #INDvENG”

My issue with Rahane the captain is Rahane the batsman.
After that 100 in Melbourne his scores are – 27*, 22, 4, 37, 24, 1 & 0. After a 100, class players carry their form & carry the burden of players out of form. #INDvENG

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 9, 2021