KL Rahul's promotion has put Ajinkya Rahane's place in doubt: Aakash Chopra

The dynamics inside Indian cricket may seem a little disturbing at the current moment but keeping the upcoming schedule in mind, players are doing their best to make the SA series count. In the same line, KL Rahul has been appointed as Virat Kohli’s deputy in the longest format as Rohit Sharma would be missing out on the series due to a hamstring injury.

Talking of the same event, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that Ajinkya Rahane may find it difficult to find a place in XI now. With Rahul as vice-captain, Rahane’s place in Test XI looks in doubt keeping in mind his long lean patch, asserted Chopra. Talking of Rahane, he has scored just two fifties and a ton in his last 16 Tests with an unacceptable average of 24.39.

Chopra further added that Rahul might be named as a deputy in ODIs too as things in Indian cricket are changing at a quick pace. Rahane, who was leading the Indian side just a couple of games ago, will be struggling to book a spot in India’s final XI when they rub shoulders with South Africa from December 26.

Ajinkya Rahane was captain just a couple of Tests ago but right now he’s not even the vice-captain: Chopra

“KL Rahul has been appointed as India’s Test vice-captain (for the South Africa series) as Rohit Sharma is injured. Rahul Dravid is the coach, Rohit is the captain of white-ball formats,” said Aakash Chopra in a video shared on Koo.

“I think Rahul may be appointed vice-captain in ODIs also. Ajinkya Rahane might find it difficult to find a place in the XI. He was captain just a couple of Test matches ago but right now he’s not even the vice-captain. Things are changing in Indian cricket,” added Chopra.

India would be up against South Africa for a three-match Test series from Boxing Day Test and it would be followed by as many ODIs. The scheduled T20Is have been scrapped for now as the series got delayed due to the threat of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron in South Africa.