ENG vs IND 2018: Dhawan, Pujara form Not a Worry for India - Ajinkya Rahane

There is no doubt about the fact that team India has been a champion team across formats in the recent past. They have been dictators at home and had also competed exceptionally well in the overseas conditions.

Even during the series against South Africa, they put up a solid performance. Despite losing the series by a 2-1 margin, their bowlers were quite exceptional. For the first time, they ended up bagging all 60 wickets in the series.

Many of the Indian cricketers have been gearing up for this five-match Test series against England, starting August 1st. It will be a massive test for Virat Kohli and his men to clinch glory. Team India have been rated quite highly in the recent past, and many cricketing pundits have predicted a result in favour of the visitors. They have a very strong bowling attack which can bag 20 wickets over a consistent period.

However, it was their batting performance which cost them the series in South Africa. Barring a century from Virat Kohli in the 2^nd Test, not a single batsman was able to convert his starts into a big one.

As the series progressed, the opener Shikhar Dhawan had to sit out due to his poor run. Dhawan has been in and out of the Indian playing XI especially in the overseas Tests.

As of yet, it will be a worry for India, as they head into the opening Test, starting on Wednesday in Birmingham.

The southpaw bagged a pair in the only practice game against Essex. However, the bowlers must be given credit, as both were peach of the deliveries. Moreover, Shikhar Dhawan has to score runs to ensure he backs his place for the five Tests.

Ajinkya Rahane feels India shouldn’t be worried about the form of two class players

Even Cheteshwar Pujara failed to make an impact in the practice game. However, the vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has made it clear the India team is not worried at all with their form, as both are quality players.

Hence, Rahane feels both are just an innings away from regaining the lost touch.

“We are not worried at all. Both are really quality batsmen and as a batsman its just one good innings to get back into form. Pujara and Dhawan both are quality players. We back them but see ultimately the decision will be taken by the coach and the captain. But as far as I am concerned both are quality players and batting really well in the nets. So it just a matter of one inning and things will start falling into place,” Rahane said during the press conference.

Here is the video of the pre-match conference –

https://www.facebook.com/IndianCricketTeam/videos/1961200370568313/