SA vs IND 2018: Kepler Wessels Believes India Will Recall Ajinkya Rahane in the Next Two Tests

The first Test between South Africa and India has reached the fourth day, but the debate on Ajinkya Rahane being dropped from the side has been a hot topic of discussion from the very first day. The major topic of discussion throughout the Test has been the exclusion of Ajinkya Rahane from the playing XI despite his excellent record in the rainbow nation. Rohit Sharma was included in the XI instead of the other Mumbai batsman.

The Indian team scored 209 in the first innings and was reduced to 92/7 at one stage with only Cheteshwar Pujara passing the 20 run mark in the top order. Rohit who was brought in the team in place of Rahane could only manage 11 runs and was trapped in front of the stumps.

Rahane, on the other hand, has a great record in South Africa on previous tours. Rahane averages almost 70 in four innings he has played in the rainbow nation with the highest score of 96. Many pundits criticized Rahane’s exclusion, and his inclusion to the squad in the remaining Tests has been backed by many. One of them being, former South African Captain Kepler Wessels. Wessel’s believes that the Indian team will bring back Rahane in the next two Tests.

Wessels said:

“I was surprised when Rahane was dropped for this Test. I know he has not scored a lot of runs lately. But he has the game, has played well in South Africa before. I am sure they will bring him back for the next two Tests.”

He felt that the Indian team had to mix their game up with caution and aggression in the first innings:

 “You need to leave the ball well outside the off-stump and have a solid defence. And you got to mix defence with attack.”   

Wessels also warned the Indian batsmen of the remaining two Tests:

“Going forward, it could get harder for India. The surfaces at Centurion and at the Wanderers are quicker. It is not easy to come here from the sub-continent and straightaway get used to the pace, bounce and seam movement.” 

Former South African Captain also praised Hardik Pandya who played a lone hand of 93 in the first innings;

“The good thing about that effort for India is the message it sent to the others in the Indian team. He took the attack to the South African bowlers. I also thought he bowled well.”

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