Former India cricketer VVS Laxman feels veteran Ajinkya Rahane needs a break after he got out for a duck in the second innings of the Oval Test against England on Sunday. Rahane has completely out of form in this series which has made India’s middle-order fragile against a potent English attack.
Ajinkya Rahane has managed only 109 runs from four matches at a paltry average of 181.6, including only one half-century. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, VVS Laxman believes that Team India should rest their vice-captain.
“It’s time to give Rahane a break. I am not sure of what the future holds for him. He is a quality player and I always believe that quality players come back into the team. But, the kind of form and confidence he has shown and the body language when he was out there in the middle… Not once during his eight-ball innings did Ajinkya Rahane look convincing,” Laxman said.
Time to give Ajinkya Rahane a break: @VVSLaxman281 #MatchDay #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/TUEfByhYvo
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 5, 2021
The final nail in the coffin came when Ajinkya Rahane was out for a duck in the second innings on a wicket that was easy to bat. He played across the line from Chris Woakes and completely missed before being adjudged LBW.
Ajinkya Rahane should return to first-class cricket to regain form: Zaheer Khan
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan reckons that Rahane needs to return to first-class cricket to regain his form. Rahane plays for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.
Woakes on 🔥
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— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 5, 2021
“When you are in a purple patch you should try and play as many games as possible. But, similarly, when you are struggling to gain form, it’s imperative to take a few steps back, see everything from a wider lens… if you want to play first-class cricket, do that because the pressure there is relatively less and you can try new things,” Zaheer said during a chat show on ESPNCricinfo.