Senior Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has come under the scanner of criticism after he failed to leave a mark in the recently-concluded 2-match Test series against West Indies.
Rahane, who was axed from the Indian Test squad last year, earned a call-up, riding on his stellar performances at domestic tournaments and Indian Premier League 2023. He was recalled in the test team for the WTC 2023 Final match against Australia and he scored 89 and 46 in the marquee clash at The Oval last month.
As expected, Rahane retained his place in the Test side for the West Indies tour and he was also handed the vice-captaincy of the team for the recently-concluded series.
However, Rahane failed miserably as he could only manage to score just 3 runs in India’s only innings in the Dominica Test while he fell for another single-digit score (8) in the one innings that he batters during the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval. Overall, he managed just 11 runs in two innings against the West Indies.
Dinesh Karthik Questioned Ajinkya Rahane’s Place In Team India
Meanwhile, reflecting on his performances in the recently-concluded Test series against West Indies, Dinesh Karthik has said that India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane did not make the series count against the West Indies. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik said batters Shubman Gill and Rahane did not get going against the West Indies. He said:
“The players probably did not get going. The two batters – Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill. Rahane obviously had a very ordinary series. He had really got the WTC final, hence was picked and also named as vice-captain for this series . He got two opportunities with the bat and on both occasions he was found wanting,”
Further, DK went on to say that Ajinkya Rahane didn’t make the series against the West Indies count for him. But Karthik also backed the senior Indian batter to be picked for the South Africa series. The Indian cricket team will be facing South Africa in a two-game Test series after the 2023 ODI World Cup. DK said:
“The thing with Rahane over a period of time has been that critical word, consistency. That’s why he had lost his place in the side. He would know, he did not make the series count. He is the kind of player, you think, should be on that flight to South Africa because, on those big moments, you get the feeling that he will make it count,”
