IND vs NZ 2021: Ajinkya Rahane Will Probably Make Way For Virat Kohli In The Second Test, Says Daniel Vettori

Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori said that Ajinkya Rahand should be rested for the second Test against New Zealand. Rahane’s batting woes has once again become the talking point amongst experts and fans.

Rahane, who is leading India as the stand-in skipper in Virat Kohli’s absence, could just add four runs to India’s tally in the second innings of the first Test. Instead, he was trapped before the wicket by New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel.

Don’t think it will be a death-knell for him: Daniel Vettori on Ajinkya Rahane to be dropped

Vettori feels that Rahane should be the one that should make way for Kohli in the second Test.

“I think it’s hard to drop someone [Iyer] who has scored a century on Test debut against a quality side. So, it will probably be Rahane who will make way [for Kohli],” Vettori told ESPNCricinfo.

“I still think Rahane is still a solid player. He looks like he wants to be aggressive; the way he is playing doesn’t feel tentative. but he is getting out. In a lot of ways, being dropped and having the ability to come back and resettle everything as a batsman, particularly at the Test level, can weigh you down.

“If they leave him out of the next Test match, I don’t think it will be a death-knell for his career; it will just be a one-Test dropping, because it just resets everything, gives him a chance to go back and do a bit of work,” he added.

India set New Zealand a target of 284

Shreyas Iyer, who scored a century in his debut innings, once again top-scored for India with 65 runs from 125 balls.

Iyer joined forces with wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha (61*) in a 64-run stand before his innings was perished by Tim Southee.

All-rounder Axar Patel scored an unbeaten 28 as India declared at 234 for seven as the hosts set the Black Caps for a target of 284.

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin got the wicket of Will Young to get the first wicket of New Zealand in their chase. New Zealand need 280 runs more to win the first Test.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: Axar Patel Understands If He Hits The Right Length, The Pitch Will Take Over – Daniel Vettori