IND vs SA: Would Leave Out Ajinkya Rahane To Accommodate Virat Kohli In Cape Town Test: Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian player Gautam Gambhir opined that Ajinkya Rahane should be dropped in order to bring back India Test skipper Virat Kohli for the series-decider game against South Africa in Cape Town.

Kohli missed the second Test in Johannesburg as he sustained an upper back spasm and KL Rahul led the team in his absence. Kohli confirmed in the pre-match press conference that he will return to the side as he regained his fitness completely.

Hanuma Vihari replaced Virat Kohli in Johannesburg

Hyderabad batter Hanuma Vihari replaced Kohli in the Indian team for the Johannesburg Test. Vihari remained unbeaten on 40 as he propelled India’s lead to 239 in the second innings with some firing shots.

On the other hand, Rahane went for a golden duck in the first innings but covered it with his 78-ball 58 as he forged a 111-run stand with Cheteshwar Pujara in the second innings.

Gautam Gambhir prefers to drop Ajinkya Rahane instead of Hanuma Vihari

Gambhir is of the opinion that Vihari should cement his place in the middle-order at the cost of dropping Rahane.

“As they go into the final Test, India need to do all the running around. South Africa will be happy with a draw in the third Test and would have won a lottery if they beat India. Virat Kohli is all set to return to the team. Once again, I will not win many fans for saying this but I’d leave out Ajinkya Rahane to accommodate the India captain,” Gambhir wrote in his column for The Times of India.

“I am more in favour of Hanuma Vihari to continue in the middle-order. Even in the past, Vihari has been conveniently left out to accommodate senior batsmen. I am not sure this is how a young talent should be looked after. I have nothing against Rahane, he is a nice guy with a good heart and showed some form too in the last game. But if I had anything to do with Indian cricket, I’d be worried for Vihari,” he added.

India will play against South Africa in the third Test at the Newlands in Cape Town, the match begins on January 11 (Tuesday).

Also Read: IND vs SA: Ashish Nehra Says India Will Be Feeling More Pressure For Cape Town Test