The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to appoint Ajinkya Rahane as the vice-captain for the Indian Test team surprised many. Despite not playing Test cricket for over a year and a half, Rahane’s recent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his experience in England played a role in the selectors’ decision. However, the choice has raised questions, with former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly expressing his confusion and emphasizing the need for continuity and consistency in selection.
During the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, Rahane justified the selectors’ faith by top-scoring for India with 89 runs in the first innings and contributing 46 runs in the second. Despite India’s disappointing result in the final, Rahane’s performance stood out as a silver lining. His form and resurgence led to his inclusion in the Indian squad for the West Indies tour and his appointment as vice-captain, despite being 35 years old.
The decision to make Rahane the vice-captain surprised many, including former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly questioned the thought process behind the move and expressed his difficulty understanding the decision. He suggested that younger players, such as Shubman Gill, are typically given the vice-captaincy role with the belief that they may become future Indian captains. Ganguly also highlighted the presence of Ravindra Jadeja, a seasoned player and a certainty in Test matches, as a potential candidate for the role.
“I won’t say it’s a step backward. You have been out for 18 months, then you play a Test and become a vice-captain. I don’t understand the thought process behind it. There is Ravindra Jadeja, who has been there for a long time and is a certainty in Test matches; he is a candidate.” Ganguly told PTI.
Ganguly emphasized the need for continuity and consistency in selection. He questioned the decision to make Rahane the vice-captain immediately after an 18-month absence from the team. Ganguly urged the selectors to avoid making hot and cold decisions and prioritize stability in the selection process.
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“To just come back and straightway becomes vice-captain after 18 months, I don’t understand. My only thing is that the selection shouldn’t be hot and cold. There has to be continuity and consistency in selection,” Ganguly pointed out.
One theory surrounding Rahane’s elevation as vice-captain is that it may be a temporary arrangement due to the absence of several key players. KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah are sidelined due to injuries. Ganguly pointed out that Jadeja, a consistent performer in Test matches, could have been a viable choice. Additionally, Gill, who is yet to establish himself in the Test XI, lacks the experience to take on the vice-captaincy role.
