MSK Prasad Backs Picking Ajinkya Rahane For South Africa Tour As He Does Well Overseas

Dec 10, 2021 at 3:30 PM

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MSK Prasad Backs Picking Ajinkya Rahane For South Africa Tour As He Does Well Overseas

MSK Prasad said it’s important for the selectors to have a plan to deal with senior batters who are going through a lean patch but backed Ajinkya Rahane for the tour of South Africa, starting December 26.

Former senior selection committee chief MSK Prasad backed Ajinkya Rahane’s selection for the tough South Africa tour, adding that experienced players are a must for overseas tours. MSK Prasad added that Ajinkya Rahane always does well in overseas conditions but his dip in form has put the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee in a spot.

MSK Prasad. (Photo Source: Twitter)
MSK Prasad. (Photo Source: Twitter)

MSK Prasad: Ajinkya Rahane Does Well Overseas But His Home Record Hasn’t Been Great And Selectors Can Look Into Picking Players Specific To Home And Away

MSK Prasad said the senior selection committee could look at picking players specific to home and away conditions, adding that it’s important to travel abroad with a good mix of youth and experience in the team.

India announced an 18-man squad for the Test series in South Africa, starting December 26. While Ajinkya Rahane, who has been under pressure over poor form, was retained in the squad, he was sacked as vice-captain. Rohit Sharma, who was appointed as India’s ODI captain on Wednesday, will be Virat Kohli’s deputy during the much-anticipated 3-Test series.

Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

“At the end of the day, it should be a mix of juniors and seniors. Even in 2013, he (Rahane) did well. Usually, Rahane performs well in overseas conditions but his record at home hasn’t been great. Taking these things into consideration, the selectors can look into players for home conditions and players for away conditions.” 

“Usually, Rahane is one guy who does really well in away conditions. Selectors are a bit puzzled because of his form. Whether they are going to look forward or back his experience is going to be their judgment,” he added.

Ajinkya Rahane did not play the recently-concluded 2nd Test against New Zealand at home due to an injury concern but his form in 2021 has led to questions over his place in the side. The former vice-captain has scored 411 in 12 Tests at a paltry average of 19.57 this year.

Ajinkya Rahane has had a horror run with the bat over the last year, which has seen his average dip to under 40(39.3). In fact, he averages a mere 19.57 in 12 Tests in 2021, his lowest average in a year since debuting in 2013.

MSK Prasad: Selectors Need To Pick A Squad With Perfect Blend Of Youth And Experience

However, Ajinkya Rahane has scored more than 3000 runs (3151 runs) overseas at an average of 41.46, which is better than his dipping home numbers of 35.74. In the last 10 years, Ajinkya Rahane has been a leading run-getter for India in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) and West Indies, scoring 2646 runs, and is next only to Virat Kohli (3551 runs) on the list.

MSK Prasad said selectors will love a healthy headache for spots in the team but it’s important they have a plan in place to deal with senior batters who are going through a lean patch.

Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane Image Source : GETTY IMAGE
Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane Image Source: GETTY IMAGE

“First of all, it is good to have a healthy headache for the selectors. And secondly, you need to have a system in place. How many opportunities would you be giving to a senior cricketer, when do you want to induct a youngster? How many youngsters are on a tour? These are the things you should take into consideration, there should be a good balance.”

“You just can’t simply remove all the seniors, at the same time, you can’t carry on with all youngsters, especially when you are going away. At home, you can try things but when you go away experience counts a lot. That’s why they need to have a perfect blend of youth and experience,” he added.

India and hosts South Africa will begin the 3-Test series with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion before heading to Johannesburg for the 2022 New Year’s Test. The series finale is scheduled to be played in Cape Town from January 11, 2022. The following players were not available for selection due to injuries and are currently undergoing rehabilitation: Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, and Rahul Chahar.

India’s Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj.

Standby Players: Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Arzan Nagwaswalla.

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