SA vs IND 2018: Twitter Reacts as Ajinkya Rahane Dropped for the First Test

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first in the first Test at Newlands in Cape Town. However, the major topic of discussion has been the exclusion of Ajinkya Rahane from the playing XI despite his excellent record in the rainbow nation. Rohit Sharma has been included in the XI instead of the other Mumbai batsman. India has gone into the first Test with five batsman and five bowlers, which means that Hardik Pandya has also been included in the squad.

Rahane’s ouster has come as a surprise for many critics as well as pundits as he has been India’s middle order mainstay on away tours. Rahane has an incredible average of 69.66 in four innings in South Africa. The last time Rahane played against he got scored a century in both the innings of the Test match.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma averages just 11.25 in four innings in the rainbow nation and has the highest score of 25.

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Let’s have a look at how Twitter reacted to Rahane’s exclusion.

So the news last eve was spot on. Bold call. Said no @<!---->a<!---->j<!---->i<!---->n<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->r<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->8<!---->8 and @<!---->I<!---->m<!---->R<!---->o<!---->4<!---->5 to play. @<!---->h<!---->a<!---->r<!---->d<!---->i<!---->k<!---->p<!---->a<!---->n<!---->d<!---->y<!---->a<!---->7 playing. @<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a<!---->T<!---->o<!---->d<!---->a<!---->y @<!---->k<!---->u<!---->s<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->s<!---->a<!---->r<!---->k<!---->a<!---->r

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Wow, this Indian team not short of surprises. But they are backing words with actions. Playing the all-rounder and no Rahane is a huge call

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

How do you drop your most dependable overseas batsman in the first Test of new overseas cycle?! Just how. Also, Bumrah ahead of Ishant and Yadav. Unable to make much sense of this. Let's see how this pans out. #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

The most successful batsman of last overseas season is left out of the 1st Test of current overseas season… Hard luck, Ajinkya Rahane #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D @<!---->a<!---->j<!---->i<!---->n<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->r<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->e<!---->8<!---->8

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

An opportunity for Rohit Sharma to make No.5 spot his own in Test cricket while what message Ajinkya Rahane will get with this selection? And what about Yadav and Sharma, too? Unbelievable. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->S<!---->A

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Not picking Ajinkya Rahane for an overseas test match is shocking to say the least. #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Krishnadev Roy (@the_krishnadev) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Well, playing Rohit Sharma ahead of Ajinkya Rahane is not a bold move, it's just a foolish one! #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->s<!---->S<!---->A #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->S<!---->A #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->S<!---->A<!---->o<!---->n<!---->S<!---->o<!---->n<!---->y<!---->T<!---->e<!---->n<!---->3

— Jash Patel (@pateljash38) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Even considering current form, I think Ajinkya Rahane should have walked into the side. He is probably India's best accomplished overseas thriving batsman. And an asset on the field. #<!---->S<!---->A<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— The Wily Crickster (@WilyCrickster) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Follow India’s Tour of South Africa here: South Africa v India 2018