The Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat first, as the first match between India and South Africa kickstarted at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. However, what has left everyone disappointed is the fact that the Indian team management has decided to back veteran Ajinkya Rahane, despite his poor form, ahead of young Shreyas Iyer
Rahane has been struggling to perform with the bat for a while now. He has scored only 411 runs off 12 Tests he has played so far at an average of 19.57. Rahane’s consistency and average even raised questions on his place in the Indian playing XI. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer impressed one and all with his solid debut against New Zealand in the Kanpur Test.
Shreyas Iyer smashed an impressive century in the first innings of his first-ever Test match for team India to help them win the series. He continued with his red-hot form as he smashed a half-century in the second innings. Considering his recent performances, everyone was expecting Iyer’s name in the Indian playing XI, however, to everyone’s dismay the Indian team management decided to back their senior batsmen.
Meanwhile, fans on social media, who were expecting Shreyas Iyer in the playing XI, were left disappointed with his exclusion from the squad. From cricketers, pundits to fans, several people took to Twitter and expressed their disappointment on the same.
Here, check out the reactions of angry Indian fans:
Shreyas Iyer, sterling century on debut, dropped after one more Test to make way for Rahane. The vicissitudes of fortune!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 26, 2021
Rahane and Pujara again!!!!
It’s tough to be in the shoes of Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal now!
Come on BCCI – be courageous in making better decisions! This is just ridiculous! #INDvsSA— Dr. Bohra. MD AIRD (@Vasheegaran) December 26, 2021
Rahane ahead of Shreyas Iyer is a big big gamble! Hope it pays off, or else the think tank will have a lot to answer #DoddaMathu #SAvIND
— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) December 26, 2021
Rahane is playing instead of Shreyas Iyer
— Cricket fan Girl (@AfshaCricket) December 26, 2021
Bold decision to back Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer? Time will tell. At the moment, it seems it is a conservative line of thinking.
— G Rajaraman (@g_rajaraman) December 26, 2021
How can Shreyas Iyer be dropped
Can any one imagine !!!!
If Rahane+Poojara fail !!!!
Selectors will have to dance to music from us. pic.twitter.com/C5wvsK3FA1
— LP ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ (@LP85051804) December 26, 2021
Hard for Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer but Virat made a good decision by backing experienced Ajinkya Rahane. Ajinkya has a good record in SENA countries. Shardul will provide batting depth.#AjinkyaRahane #ShreyasIyer #INDvsSA
— The Critical (@thenileshkolage) December 26, 2021
Rahane makes it to the starting 11. Shreyas Iyer 12th man. #INDvsSA
— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) December 26, 2021
Missed Shreyas Iyer in Boxing Day Test match at Centurion ?#INDvsSA #WTC23 #BoxingDayTest pic.twitter.com/ZzMo6bhwF6
— Ashutosh Srivastava (@ashutosh_sri8) December 26, 2021
Teams:
India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa (Playing XI): Dean Elgar(c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock(w), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Also Read: Ravi Shastri Suggests Two Future Captaincy Options For Team India
