Ajinkya Rahane is one of the best talents available in Indian dressing room, but he is yet to get a game in the ongoing ODI series.
The right handed batsman was in sensational form when India toured West Indies after Champions Trophy and amassed an impressive 336 runs in five ODIs. However, he is still considered as a backup opener to the likes of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
But the 29-year old could be more utilized considering the current situation in middle order, which is hardly firing apart from an old MS Dhoni. That has been the case over the past few years as the bulk of runs were scored mainly by top order and then Dhoni towards the end.
KL Rahul have failed miserably in the first four ODIs primarily due to poor shot selection, and Kedhar Jadhav had to make way for Manish Pandey after poor showings in the first three ODIs. With KL Rahul being another proper batsman to play as an opener, Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli should seriously think of making a shuffle in the middle order going into the final ODI.
Rahane can be tested at No.4 for the final ODI as the position has been a problem for the team over the last couple of years. Yuvraj Singh has made a decent run at the position before being dropped after failing to prove fitness but considering 2019 World Cup is still 18 months away; the team management can take the risk of playing Rahane at No.4 in the dead rubber game.
Who should he possibly replace?
Considering the long tour that Shikhar Dhawan had in Sri Lanka, the south paw should be the most likely option to make way for the final game. Dhawan had played brilliantly in both tests and ODIs, but he could be rested to make few changes in the batting order for the final ODI on Sunday.
KL Rahul, who has failed to play as an anchor in No.4 position could be played back in his favored opening place, and Ajinkya Rahane might get a go in the chaotic middle order. Manish Pandey looks another viable option, but the experience of Rahane could make him favorite to play as No.4 for India in ODIs as he can be terrific to construct innings at the right pace.
Another option would be to rest MS Dhoni for the final game and let Rahul keep the wickets and play both Rahane and Rahul in the middle order. Rahane deserves an ODI game, but it remains to be seen which combination, the team management thinks would be the best fit for the final ODI.