India drop hints of recalling Ajinkya Rahane for Johannesburg Test

The Indian team has received much flak and widespread criticism following their loss in the second Test at Centurion and the subsequent series defeat against South Africa. But the topic which has raised eyebrows is team India’s interesting squad selection. And the omission of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane from both the Tests has come down heavily on the team management.

Rahane was excluded on the basis of his poor patch of form and Rohit Sharma was given preference over him. He looked in poor shape in the previous series against Sri Lankan at home, which made the selectors ambiguous. However, Rohit too, much like every other batsman in the team failed to deliver, succumbing to the pace and bounce of the rainbow nation.

A lynchpin in India’s batting lineup, Rahane has been a proven contender in overseas conditions. And finally, it looks probable that the 29-year-old might feature in the upcoming dead-rubber fixture at Johannesburg. Interestingly enough, at the nets earlier today, Rahane was spotted padded up and lined alongside Kohli and Hardik Pandya in what could be the suggestive middle-order in the upcoming Test.

Even after the routine batting and fielding sessions ended, Kohli and Rahane went back into the nets for an extended session. They were the last ones to walk out of a nearly four-hour-long training session. While Pandya opened up with some big hits as per his natural style of play, both Kohli and Rahane looked solid against the pacers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami even bowled at them with the new Kookaburra balls.

Probable combinations

If Rahane does make a comeback, the biggest question will be whom he replaces. A direct swap with Rohit could be plausible but the team management might still want to give Rohit another chance because the Wanderers pitch and weather are likely to help seam bowling and an extra batsman won’t harm India.

On the contrary, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit both to play, one out of Pandya and Ravi Ashwin might have to sit out, which is again a difficult call and the decision to leave out a bowler depends solely on the pitch.

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