IND vs SA: Watch – Ajinkya Rahane Constantly Mutters 'Watch The Ball’ On Day 1 Of The 1st Test In Centurion

Senior Indian middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane was seen constantly muttering “watch the ball, watch the ball” during bowler’s run-up in the first Test match of the three-match Test series against South Africa at the SuperSport Park, Centurion on Sunday, December 26.

Ajinkya Rahane’s inclusion in the playing XI in the first Test against South Africa came as a surprise for many cricket pundits. His place in the Test team has come under the scanner due to his poor performance with the bat for an extended period. Rahane in 2021 before today’s game had played 12 Test matches for India and had managed to score only 411 runs at a poor average of 19.57.

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Many expected Shreyas Iyer who scored a century and a fifty on his debut or Hanuma Vihari who has done a brilliant job in the shadow tour of South Africa to be a part of the playing XI but it didn’t happen.

Notably, Rahane was even removed from Test vice-captaincy and Rohit Sharma was appointed as new vice-captain of the team in Tests. However, he was injured and ruled out as a result KL Rahul was named Test vice-captain for the series against South Africa.

Meanwhile, in a video going viral on social media, senior batter Rahane has been seen trying to increase his focus by constantly saying “watch the ball” during bowler’s run-up.

Watch The Clip Here:

Rahane reminding himself to watch the ball as the bowler runs up makes me realise how cruel cricket can be for such experienced guy pic.twitter.com/3HKhVgMMFc

— Nikhil Dubey (@nikhildubey96) December 26, 2021

Ajinkya Rahane constantly saying to himself .."watch the ball"

He did see the ball perfectly here ?#INDvsSA #INDvSA #SAvsIND #SAvIND #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ryfaFbCiaP

— V (@testaahebest) December 26, 2021

Ajinkya Rahane Ahead Of Hanuma Vihari And Shreyas Iyer Left Me Surprised – Ashish Nehra

Former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra was surprised at Rahane’s inclusion in the playing XI ahead of Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer and he said that things might get difficult for Rahane if fails in the South Africa series.

“Shreyas Iyer has made runs. Hanuma Vihari has also delivered for India A. Both have performed when they have been given chances and playing Rahane ahead of them left me surprised. But it feels good to see a senior player getting the backing from the team management,” Nehra told Cricbuzz.

“Rahul Dravid & Virat Kohli have supported Rahane but, personally speaking, I am surprised by his selection, especially when KL Rahul is the vice-captain. Rahane won’t be in the team from now on because he’s the captain or the vice-captain. Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara too haven’t performed to their level but Rahane hasn’t been able to score runs for 1.5-2 years. He’s played some important knocks but consistency is expected from him. Things will get difficult for him if he lets this chance slip by,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane looked in great control in the Centurion Test against South Africa and batting at No.5 on Day 1 he managed to smash unbeaten 40 runs including 8 fours.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: When You Look At The Toss That Obviously Didn’t Go Our Way – England’s Jonny Bairstow Blames Toss For Batting Collapse

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