Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes the washout on day 2 will not help Ajinkya Rahane’s cause, who has been under the pump due to low scores in the last one year. Rahane, however, showed intent on day 1 during his unbeaten 40-run knock.
The veteran batsman would have been keen to continue the same momentum on day 2. However, there was no play possible with persistent rain before it was called off by the umpires without a ball being bowled.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Aakash Chopra pointed out that the break might impact Ajinkya Rahane. He said:
“Where Ajinkya Rahane is standing, this innings has huge importance for him. The break is not a great thing for Ajinkya Rahane because he will have to again start from zero, he has got 24 more hours for his doubts, he will be thinking that he has got a start and he should capitalize on that.”
“When you are on 40 – you have both sides, you have to do well from here but it can go bad from here as well. It cannot go bad for Rahul, he is sitting on 122, he knows that whatever happens from here will be an add-on,” Chopra added.
Ajinkya Rahane will look to start afresh and keep his concentration as he aims to put on a big hundred under his belt to answer back his critics.
“He has a lot to lose” – Aakash Chopra on Ajinkya Rahane
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Ajinkya Rahane, who has scored only 451 runs from 13 matches in 2021, will have to keep the unpleasant thoughts away to put a big score.
“He [Rahane] has a lot to lose and when you are going through bad form, the batter and technique are the same, there are a lot of things going on in your mind. So if I see from Rahane’s point of view, it is not a great thing,” Aakash Chopra added.
Meanwhile, India are currently well-placed at 272/3 with KL Rahul unbeaten on 122 while Ajinkya Rahane is batting at 40.
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