It is not dangerous, but a challenging wicket: Ajinkya Rahane

India’s star batsman at Johannesburg, Ajinkya Rahane, on Friday, dismissed concerns raised over the pitch that has come under heavy criticism for offering uneven bounce. Late in the third day’s play, South Africa opener Dean Elgar was hit on the helmet by a rising delivery following which the umpires took the players off the field. The day’s play was eventually called off with the game hanging precariously as rain ensued soon.

Rahane, who was dropped in the first two fixtures made a splendid return in the final Test justifying his selection with a fine display with the willow. While the other batsmen were seen struggling, Rahane looked a class apart on a dubious Wanderers pitch. On a surface which became more and more difficult with each delivery, the 29-year-old’s imperative knock assisted India to post a competitive total of 240.

However, the versatile right-hander, contradictory to the speculations of an uneven pitch stated that it was a challenge that he also cited the example of how the other Indian batsmen negotiated the South African bowlers.

Rahane questions the credibility of the decision to abandon the match

In a Test match that could’ve turned fortunes for the Indian team, the day 3 was called off as a result of unplayable playing conditions. Thus with an Indian victory looming around the corner, there was an obvious disappointment after the game got abandoned.

Speaking on the same lines, Rahane told reporters after the day’s play, “Wicket was challenging. It was similar for both the teams. [Murali] Vijay scored 25 runs. Our openers played well. When me and Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] were batting, we were not thinking about the wicket but focusing on the delivery.”

He further quizzed, “What about them bowling short balls to our bowlers. When Ishant [Sharma], Bhuvi, [Mohammed] Shami and [Jasprit] Bumrah were batting, everyone was bowling bouncers. I don’t think it is a dangerous wicket, yes, it is a challenging wicket.”

The match will start on time on the fourth day now and the umpires will continue to monitor the pitch.

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