IND vs NZ 2021: “Fact Is that Ajinkya Rahane’s Average Has Been Falling Down Only” – Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his concern over Ajinkya Rahane’s appointment as India’s Test captain, despite the latter’s poor performance in the last few years.

The BCCI announced Ajinkya Rahane as a stand-in captain for the first Test match against New Zealand in Kohli’s absence. Virat Kohli has been rested for the tour and will join the team for the second test in Mumbai, and take over the leadership duties.

In a video on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube Channel, the former cricketer highlighted Rahane’s poor form. This year, the Mumbai batter averages 19.57 in 11 test matches, scoring just two fifty-plus scores. Aakash pointed out that Rahane’s average in test cricket has fallen down massively in the last few years. He said,

“You have picked Ajinkya Rahane as the captain. But the truth is also that, let’s be honest, there was a question about him being selected for the last Test against England if the match had happened.”

“As much as I like Ajinkya Rahane, the fact is that the average has been seen falling down only. There has been an odd good knock in between for sure but the average has fallen 20 points in the last two years. Rahane’s average has never gone so low,” he added.

New Zealand Test series is very important for Ajinkya Rahane: Aakash Chopra

Earlier this year in England, Ajinkya Rahane scored just 109 runs at an average of 15.57 in four Tests. Apart from his 61 runs knock at Lord’s, the right-handed batter failed to reach the 20-run mark in the rest of the innings. Aakash Chopra stated that Rahane’s position might have been at stake if not for the Lord’s knock. He said,