Vikram Rathour and Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Twitter/Getty Images)
Experienced Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane returned to the Indian Test side on the back of strong performances in the Ranji Trophy and Indian Premier League 2023. He played two solid knocks against Australia in his comeback fixture, which was also the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
After his impressive return against the Pat Cummins-led side, Rahane was reinstated as the vice-captain of the Indian Test team for the two-match series against the West Indies. Rohit Sharma’s men annihilated the West Indian side in Roseau, Dominica in the first Test, winning by an innings and 141 runs. Rahane missed out with the bat as he was dismissed by Kemar Roach for three runs.
India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour praised the right-hander and noted that he seems much calmer since his comeback. Rathour also mentioned that the 35-year-old will be important for India’s chances in the Test series against South Africa in a few months’ time.
“He played really well in the WTC final. He has always been a good player. He was dropped because of bad form. When it comes to technique, you constantly work on that but what stood out for me that he was much more calm in his approach. He was playing late and close to the body. That has been the standout thing since his comeback. He is still batting the same way in the nets. We hope he will do well. Conditions in South Africa, you will need somebody like him to come good,” Rathour was quoted as saying by India Today.
Ajinkya Rahane is yet to find his mojo in ongoing away tour of Team India
Ajinkya Rahane rolled back the years with a fluent knock of 89 runs in 129 balls against Australia in the first innings of the WTC final. He was the lone batter for India who looked eager to spend time in the middle and counter the potent Aussie bowling. In the second innings, he gave India hopes of pulling off an improbable 444-run chase.
However, in the ongoing India tour of the West Indies, the Mumbai batter scored 46 runs in 108 balls. He got out cheaply for just three runs in the first Test against the West Indies. Hence he is yet to find his WTC final-like rhythm and would be raring to get a big score in the upcoming Test against Kraigg Brathwaite’s men.