Ajinkya Rahane, India’s seasoned middle-order batsman, has recently faced criticism for his performance in the Test series against the West Indies. Despite being appointed vice-captain for the series, Rahane struggled to make an impact, and his batting failures have become a topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts and experts.
During the two-match Test series against the West Indies, Ajinkya Rahane’s batting performance was far from his best. In both innings across both tests, he could only manage a total of 11 runs.
The decision to appoint Rahane as the vice-captain for the West Indies series was partly influenced by his performance in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Rahane showcased his class and resilience in that match, leading India to a memorable victory against a strong New Zealand side.
Dinesh Karthik, India’s wicket-keeping batter, offered his perspective on Rahane’s struggles in the series. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik highlighted the disappointment surrounding Rahane’s performance and pointed out the missed opportunities Rahane had with the bat. He acknowledged Rahane’s inconsistency as a critical factor affecting his career and that Rahane lost his place in the side earlier due to this very issue.
“The two batters who did not get going were probably Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill. Rahane obviously had a very ordinary series. He had really played well in the WTC final, hence was picked and also named as vice-captain for this series. He got two opportunities with the bat and on both occasions he was found wanting,” said Karthik.
Consistency has been a double-edged sword for Ajinkya Rahane. While he has showcased his ability to play match-winning innings numerous times, the lack of consistent performances has sometimes cost him his place in the side. Rahane’s inability to convert starts into substantial scores and follow up good performances with consistent displays has been a concern.
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Despite his struggles in the West Indies Test series, Dinesh Karthik still believes that Rahane should be considered for the upcoming series against South Africa. Karthik’s belief stems from Rahane’s reputation as a player who can rise to the occasion during crucial moments. Rahane’s past performances, especially in overseas conditions, have earned him respect and admiration, and many still see him as an essential asset to the Indian team in challenging tours.
“The thing with Rahane over a period of time has been that critical word, consistency. That’s why he had lost his place in the side. He would know, he did not make the series count. He is the kind of player, you think, should be on that flight to South Africa because, on those big moments, you get the feeling that he will make it count,” concluded Karthik.
