Michael Holding Surprised With Exclusion Of Bhuvneshwar And Rahane

West Indies legend, Michael Holding, was surprised when India skipper, Virat Kohli, did not include Ajinkya Rahane for the second Test of the series and also decided to replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar with Ishant Sharma. While speaking to Cricketnext, Holding Holding expressed surprise over the exclusion of Rahane:

“I am very surprised that Bhuvneshwar was dropped after what he did in Cape Town, but I am just as surprised that Rahane was not played. His record overseas is better than most. I don’t know enough about Rohit Sharma and some of the other guys. See, I only see India play Test cricket when they come to England and then in South Africa. That is why it will not be fair for me to comment much on other people. And to be honest, what I have seen of Rahane, he seems to me to be a very good player. I was just surprised to not see him in the XI and the same thing with Bhuvneshwar. I think he is a very good bowler and I was surprised that he was not in the XI,” he said.

Indian cricket team, surprisingly, decided to drop Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the second Test match, despite him being the highest wicket-taker in the first game. Ishant Sharma replaced Bhunehswar as skipper needed extra bounce from him.

Though the exclusion of Bhuvnehswar didn’t much impact on bowling – Indian bowlers were able to take 20 wickets once again – but on the batting front, it did have its impact. Bhuvneshwar has shown that he can stand for few overs out in the middle and is a sort of an all-rounder for the team.

His presence in the team doesn’t just bolster team India bowling but also provides support to the batting line-up.

Talking of vice-captain, Rahane, Holding is not the only one who is surprised with his continues exclusion. Rahane possess a great record outside sub-continent and him not getting an opportunity has surprised many. Rohit Sharma, his replacement, hasn’t justified his inclusion.

Barring Rohit’s 47 in the fourth innings in the second Test, he hasn’t done anything special to prove his skipper right.

Going into the third Test, there are chances that Rahane might walk in the playing XI. Though him replacing Rohit is not a surety as Cheteshwar Pujara seems to be the batsman who might get axed.

In other changes, Dinesh Karthik is expected to walk in place of Parthiv Patel. A surprise call-up to Karthik gave an indication that selectors have given him an opportunity to replace Parthiv Patel as the backup wicketkeeper when team India need one for a long period due to some away tours lined up.

The third and the final Test between India and South Africa starts on January 24.

Follow India’s tour to South Africa here: South Africa Vs. India – Freedom Series

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