India will begin the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle by playing two Tests against the West Indies, in the Caribbean, in July. Taking the same into consideration, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), announced a 16-member Test squad that features new faces like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mukesh Kumar.
One of the biggest talking points have been the notable omissions of Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav. Another topic of discussion has been Ajinkya Rahane’s reappointment as India’s Test vice-captain. The Mumbai batter made a comeback into the Indian Test side for the World Test Championship final, after being out for over a year, owing to poor form.
While India lost the final to Australia, Rahane was the only Indian batter who looked good in both innings, scoring 89 and 46, respectively. Following his impressive return, the experienced batter has been named India’s vice-captain for the West Indies Tests.
Aakash Chopra admitted that it is a great comeback story for Rahane, but also pointed out that India’s No. 5 batter has performed well in just one game, and it should not be forgotten that he was dropped for dismal performances.
“If you think from Ajinkya Rahane’s viewpoint, you will say – never give up, never say never. The world had written him off. He was India’s best batter in the WTC final. He made a comeback at 35 and he is now the vice-captain of the side, which is a beautiful story,” said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Is it a step looking forward or not? I am not 100% certain. Ajju is also not getting younger by the day. If we are saying this about Pujara, we will have to say this about Ajju as well. He had one good match but let’s not get carried away because you had dropped him based on performances over two-three years.”
Could Ravichandran Ashwin not have been made the vice-captain?: Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra suggested the names of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, as India’s potential candidates for Test vice-captaincy. The former India opener noted that one of the two spinners will always be in the team. According to Chopra, if Ashwin plays, then he could be the vice-captain, or else, Jadeja could step in.
“I have another opinion. If you have left out Cheteshwar Pujara because of his average of 29.69 and if you have made Ajinkya Rahane the vice-captain with an average of 26.50, could Ravichandran Ashwin not have been made the vice-captain?
“Otherwise, you could have made Ravindra Jadeja because at least one of the two is definitely going to play. You could have made Ashwin the vice-captain – he is going to be there. If he doesn’t play, Jadeja will definitely play, he doesn’t get dropped at all. So why not one of the two? Personally, I would have thought that way.”