Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are currently going through a rough patch in their Test career. While Pujara has not scored a Test century snce 2019, Rahane has been very inconsistent in the middle-order in recent times. Barring his century in Melbourne, Rahane has looked off-color in Test cricket throughout the first phase of ICC World Test Championship. Both Rahane and Pujara have has a string of low scores in the Englan series so far. Pujara got 4, 12*, 9 in the three innings in England so far while Rahane scored 5 and 1. Meanwhile, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has commented on their poor run of form off late.
During his commentary stint with Sony Sports Network, Sunil Gavaskar spoke about Rahane and Pujara being ‘low-profile’ and experienced enough not to do anything silly to get out of their dry run.
OUT! Anderson strikes! 🔥
Rahane edges to Root and falls early☝🏽Tune into Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN), Sony Ten 4 (TAM, TEL) & SonyLIV (https://t.co/AwcwLCPFGm ) now! 📺#ENGvINDOnlyOnSonyTen #BackOurBoys #AjinkyaRahane pic.twitter.com/MBqsvDAXVi
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 13, 2021
“He was the highest run-scorer for India at the WTC final with 49. So nobody else has scored runs in this period, to be honest, but questions have been asked only about two cricketers. They are low-profile cricketers. They are not going to rip their shirt off and create a scene (if they are dropped),” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network.
Team Management Should Be Questioned For Pujara, Rahane’s Dismissals
Interestingly, Gavaskar said that if Pujara and Rahane are getting out in the same manner repeatedly, then the support staff and the team management should be questioned.
Cheteshwar Pujara's highest Test score in his last 10 Test innings is 21.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/WRZecSGFtH
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 12, 2021
“Just let Ajinkya Rahane play. Yes, if he does not score runs here there is cause for concern but that cause for concern has to be regarding his technical abilities, with Pujara as well. The way he has got out in Australia playing down the wrong, being beaten by the outswinger nothing has changed as far as that is concerned. So what is happening? Who is the one to take care of it? Not just with Pujara. There’s a staff there. If you are getting out in the same manner, then there is something wrong not just with your technique but also the guys who are supposed to help you,” Gavaskar added.
In the first innings at Trent Bridge, Pujara, Kohli & Rahane contributed a total of 9 runs. In the first innings at Lord's they've contributed a total of 52 runs. #ENGvIND #RunsAtAPremium https://t.co/kOO9plKYoa
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) August 13, 2021
Meanwhile, England came back well on day two taking four wickets in the first session as India added 70 runs to their overnight score in 26 overs. At lunch, India were 346/7 having started the day on 276/3.
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