Danish Kaneria, the former Pakistan leg-spinner was baffled by India’s decision to demote Ajinkya Rahane to No.6. The Indian Test vice-captain hasn’t been in the best of form and has struggled to score consistently.
Danish Kaneria feels the Indian team management is trying to shield Ajinkya Rahane by sending Ravindra Jadeja to bat at No.5. He reckons someone like Suryakumar Yadav or Hanuma Vihari should have got the chance ahead of the out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane.
Danish Kaneria Don’t Understand Why India Is Saving Ajinkya Rahane
In a video on his YouTube channel, Danish Kaneria explained how the move to demote Ajinkya Rahane sends out the wrong message to the opposition. The Indian middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane has managed only one half-century in the series against England.
“I don’t understand why they are saving Ajinkya Rahane. If he isn’t able to perform in this innings then let the gates open for Suryakumar Yadav or Hanuma Vihari. Rahane is not in form and he doesn’t know where his off-stump is. If you know a player isn’t in form then you should have replaced him. A message goes to the opposition that you are saving the batsman,” Danish Kaneria stated.
Suryakumar Yadav and Hanuma Vihari are waiting in the wings and should get a chance according to Danish Kaneria. Although he is yet to play Tests, Suryakumar Yadav has a compelling record in first-class cricket, scoring 5326 runs in 77 first-class games at 44.01, with 14 tons.
Hanuma Vihari’s last innings for India was a heroic 161-ball 23 which helped India draw the Test match against Australia in Sydney. He made his Test debut for India in September 2018 and has featured in 12 Tests, 93 first-class games, 80 List A, and 74 T20 games.
Danish Kaneria Enjoyed The Way Rohit Sharma Batted
Rohit Sharma was the star man for India on Day 3 as he scored his maiden overseas Test hundred. Danish Kaneria was impressed with the application that the Indian opener showed in conditions that weren’t easy to bat on. Danish Kaneria believes India’s opening stand of 83 was crucial in them getting a good lead so far. He reckons India can post a huge target if they bat well on Day 4.
“I really enjoyed the way Rohit Sharma batted, the way he fought out in the first session. The elegance, class, focus and determination were there and India really needed such partnership from their openers. This is how you score in England and it was fantastic to see him bat,” Danish Kaneria concluded.
The first session will be crucial on Day 4 as India looks to push on and add to their lead, while England will look to trigger a batting collapse. Bad light stopped play at The Oval with India ahead by 171 runs. India ended the day at 270/3, with Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara scoring 127 and 61, respectively.
Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja will resume India’s innings on Day 4. Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara were dismissed in the same over by Ollie Robinson soon after the pair brought up their 150-run stand.
While Rohit Sharma fell to a pull shot on 127, Cheteshwar Pujara was caught in the slips for 61. Rohit Sharma hit a massive six-over long-on off Moeen Ali to get his first-ever Test century outside India. It also happened to be his 8th career century in the longest format. India concluded a brilliant Day 3 at 270-3 (lead of 171 runs) with Virat Kohli looking solid at 22 off 37 alongside Ravindra Jadeja and with three more capable batsmen yet to come.