Ajinkya Rahane, India’s vice–captain in the longest format, has been ruled out of the ongoing second Test match against New Zealand. As per a press release issued by the BCCI, Rahane had sustained the injury while fielding on the final day of the first Test match in Kanpur.
“Rahane sustained a minor left hamstring strain while fielding on the final day of the Kanpur Test. Since he has not recovered completely, he has been ruled out of the 2nd Test in Mumbai. His progress will be closely monitored by the BCCI medical team,” BCCI said in a statement.
NEWS – Injury updates – New Zealand’s Tour of India
Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the 2nd Test.
More details here – https://t.co/ui9RXK1Vux #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/qdWDPp0MIz
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 3, 2021
Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane, who has been India’s go-to man, has been going through a rough patch in his career. He won’t be a happy man looking at his numbers in the last 21 innings from 12 Test matches he has played this year.
He has not gone beyond single-digit scores eight times this year. His best scores have been 37 at Brisbane, 67 against England at the Chepauk, 49 against New Zealand in the WTC at Southampton and 61 against England at Lord’s.
He led the Indian cricket team in the absence of the regular skipper Virat Kohli in the first Test match, however, yet again he failed to leave a mark with his bat. He could only score 35 against New Zealand in Kanpur in the recently concluded match. Lack of runs from Rahane’s bat has led to fingers being pointed at him and his place in the Indian Test team.
But a poor form can’t deny the fact that Ajinkya Rahane is a class player. He has led India to three Test wins over Australia and scored hundreds at the iconic grounds of the Lord’s and MCG. So far, Rahane has played 79 Tests, scored 4795 runs with twelve centuries and 24 half-centuries, and for an average a fraction lower than 40. However, the cricketer is yet to play his first Test match at his home ground Wankhede Stadium.
The idea of playing a Test match in front of his home crowd at the Wankhede Stadium in the second Test match against New Zealand — after almost 9 year Test career — should have got him very excited.
However, as the cricketer was ruled out of the ongoing second Test match against New Zealand, which is taking place at the Wankhede Stadium, Rahane continues to be devoid of playing a home Test at the Wankhede Stadium. He must be saddest person today.
