IND vs SA: Ajinkya Rahane Might Find It Difficult To Find Place In Indian Team - Aakash Chopra
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that KL Rahul’s appointment as the vice-captain of the Test team is a clear indication that middle-order batsman, Ajinkya Rahane, is running on borrowed time.
Rahane was demoted from vice-captaincy ahead of the South Africa tour, with Rohit Sharma being appointed as Virat Kohli’s deputy. However, Rohit was ruled out of the 3-match Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury.
Being the vice-captain in T20Is, it made sense for BCCI to give Rahul the same position in Rohit’s absence. This all but confirms that a failure for Rahane would all but end his career for India.
“KL Rahul has been appointed as India’s Test vice-captain (for the South Africa series) as Rohit Sharma is injured. Rahul Dravid is the coach, Rohit is the captain of white-ball formats.“
“I think Rahul may be appointed vice-captain in ODIs also. Rahane might find it difficult to find a place in the XI. He was captain just a couple of Test matches ago but right now he’s not even the vice-captain. Things are changing in Indian cricket,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The Test series will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. It will also be a great opportunity for Kohli and co. to claim India’s first-ever Test series victory in South Africa. Their bowling is currently at its peak and if the batsmen fire in unison, Kohli’s men will be the clear favourites.
India’s Test squad for South Africa tour:
Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul (vc), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
