Ajinkya Rahane deserved to be backed by skipper and coach: Pravin Amre

The first Test in Cape Town was a classic example to reprimand how the Indian batsmen have failed to perform in the rainbow nation in the past. With a squad brewing of talent as well as the No.1 Test team tag, a lot of hopes were pinned on the current Indian team. But sadly, history prevailed as the India batting’s poor fortunes in South Africa continued.

Facing the South African bowling attack sans marquee seamer Dale Steyn in the second innings, the Indians failed to chase a target of 207 and ended up losing all 10 wickets in a single day. Although the wickets fell like a pack of cards, and it highlighted the fact that something was amiss in the batting line-up.

Interestingly ahead of the first Test, Ajinkya Rahane was dropped to give Rohit Sharma a go. But that backfired evident with Rohit managing scores of 11 and 10.

Rahane, on the other hand, has been one of the most consistent performers for the Men in Blue over the past couple of seasons on overseas tours. Known for his exquisite timing and deft strokeplay, the right-hander has been clinical in providing impetus to the innings. He has been a proven contender in overseas conditions and possesses the mindset and calmness to steer through difficult situations.

Pravin Amre opens up about Kohli’s decision

Speaking on the same lines, Rahane’s personal coach Pravin Amre said that scoring consistently at home and to do that on foreign soil are two completely different things and that he deserved to be backed by skipper Virat Kohli and the coach as well.

He said, “I think this is the time when Rahane needed Kohli and Shastri’s backing because he had just one bad series against Sri Lanka and that too on Indian soil. When he was dropped from the ODI team after winning the Man of the Series award in the West Indies, there was no problem because he was filling in for the first team players. He was expected to make way once they returned to the team. But to drop the vice-captain of the Test team in the first Test of what is deemed as the start of the real test for Team India over the next 18 months was anything but shocking,”