IND vs SA: Ajinkya Rahane Cannot Play In The First Match, Continuity For Shreyas Iyer Is Important - VVS Laxman

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has opined that 34-year-old Ajinkya Rahane should not be included in the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa. Instead, recent debutante, Shreyas Iyer, should be persisted with in the middle order, as per Laxman.

Rahane continues to hog the limelight because of his slump in form. He has been struggling to score runs even in familiar home conditions which has forced the management to consider other options. Although the head coach and skipper continue to back the experienced pro, it is time to move on from the right-hander.

“According to me, Ajinkya Rahane cannot play in the first match. Continuity is very important, so I will play Shreyas Iyer because if you give someone two Test matches and the way he batted on debut under pressure.”

“He scored a century and a half-century, so I will give that continuity, the confidence that you want to give to a young batsman, I will definitely give that,” Laxman said on Star Sports regarding the upcoming tour of South Africa.

“You can’t take Ravindra Jadeja lightly as a batsman anymore” – VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman also backed the team to field five batsmen and one wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant, considering how well the lower-order has performed, particularly Ravindra Jadeja. The Saurashtra all-rounder has upped his game by several notches, especially with the bat, in the longest format.

“Jadeja can play as an all-rounder because he performs with the bat as well and you can’t take Jadeja lightly as a batsman anymore, even in overseas conditions. So Jadeja will be at No.7 and after that, four bowlers – three fast bowlers and Ravichandran Ashwin. So this will be the combination,” Laxman added.

The first Test between India and South Africa begins on December 26.

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