Former cricketer Aakash Chopra highlighted the importance of the test series against New Zealand for Ajinkya Rahane. The right-handed batter has been struggling for runs this year.
Ajinkya Rahane will be leading India in the first test, in the absence of Virat Kohli. This year, he has scored 372 runs in 11 tests, at an average of 19.57. Since his century against Australia at Melbourne, Rahane looked out of sorts for India.
In a video shared on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube Channel, the former cricketer was asked about the importance of the upcoming series for Rahane. He replied,
“It is extremely important. There are a lot of people who are breathing under his neck. The series is significant because he may be the captain in the first Test, but he is under pressure without a doubt. If the last Test in England had taken place at Old Trafford, God knows if he would have been there in the playing XI or not, after what happened at The Oval.”
Aakash Chopra added that if the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill do well in the series, pressure will mount on Ajinkya Rahane. He opined,
“He is the captain for the first Test but Virat Kohli will be back for the second. Remember, when India goes to South Africa, Rohit Sharma will be back. For the New Zealand series, India has picked Mayank, Shreyas, Shubman. Whoever gets the opportunity, if he scores a lot of runs, Rahane places will come under the scanner. There is Hanuma Vihari as well, who has not been picked for the New Zealand Tests.”
Ajinkya Rahane is pretty fortunate that he’s still part of this side, because he’s leading: Gautam Gambhir
Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir expressed that Ajinkya Rahane is fortunate to still be a part of the Indian team, despite his poor run this year. He also stated his openers picks for the test series. Gautam believes Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul should open the innings, with Shubman Gill at Number 4. Speaking to Star Sports, he said,
“I am going to open with Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul because he opened in England and then probably Shubman Gill will bat at No. 4. Plus, Rahane is pretty fortunate that he’s still part of this side because he’s leading. But again, he’s got another opportunity now, hopefully, he can make that count.”
The India vs New Zealand test series begins on November 25 at the Green Park in Kanpur.
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