Recalled batter gets head coach Rahul Dravid's backing for Oval Test and beyond
It is believed that head coach Rahul Dravid was instrumental in sending the message to senior pro and former India skipper Ajinkya Rahane that he was not scoring enough runs to justify a spot at No. 5 in India's middle-order.
Having been a proud occupant of that spot himself and having seen luminaries like Mohammed Azharuddin, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly notch up staggering numbers there, an average of 22.60 over a two-year period couldn't have passed muster.
Hence, Rahane wasn't given the chance to resurrect himself or his batting form in the two-match Test series vs Sri Lanka at home in 2022 and was dropped. He went to the Ranji Trophy as told, scored 634 runs from 11 innings while leading Mumbai, but was ignored for the Tests vs Bangladesh in Bangladesh and the four-match series against Australia at home. Then fate intervened.
1/10:The turnaround in Ajinkya Rahane's career
PTI
2/10:From IPL to WTC
<p>Ajinkya Rahane's resurgence for CSK, coupled with his promising domestic form, earned him a berth in the WTC final squad against Australia at the Oval. </p>PTI
3/10:Rahane for CSK
<p>Rahane finished with 326 runs from 14 matches at an astounding strike rate of 172.48 and was CSK's fourth-highest run-getter. </p>PTI
4/10:Rahane's experience
<p>Rahane's experience of English conditions will be beneficial to the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side. </p>Getty Images
5/10:Rahane's comeback
<p>Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was happy to see Ajinkya Rahane make a comeback to Test squad.</p>Getty Images
6/10:The positive intent
<p>Ponting also felt that his positive intent in the IPL, did help Rahane's cause. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Made for Tests
<p>Ponting feels that Test cricket is easier for Rahane compared to his recent exploits in IPL for CSK. </p>AP
8/10:Red ball calling
<p>Rahane last featured in Tests for India in January 2022 and has since been out of favour in the red-ball setup. </p>Getty Images
9/10:Horrendous 2021
<p>Before being dropped, Rahane had a horrendous 2021 where he scored just 479 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 20.82. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Last Test ton
<p>Rahane's last Test century came at the MCG in the Border-Gavaskar series of 2020/21 where he captained India's comeback after the dismal 36 all out. </p>Getty ImagesKL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer picked up injuries and missed the trip to England for the WTC final, while Rahane, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, played crucial cameos for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL to remerge in the spotlight. He was named in the WTC squad and now is a favourite to reclaim the No. 5 spot.
Addressing the media at the Oval two days before the game, Dravid admitted that injuries helped Rahane get back in the mix.
"Firstly, it's good to have him. We have had a few injuries which probably led to him having the opportunity to come back into the squad. It's great to have someone of his quality. He brings in a lot of experience and proven performance in overseas conditions."
Dravid, who mastered tough batting conditions, overseas, especially in England, acknowledged Rahane's efforts in England too. "Even in England, he has played some terrific innings for us (Lord's ton in 2014 on a green-top). He brings terrific catching ability in the slips. He just brings his personality to the group, which is really important."
What will be interesting to see is what the Indian team management and selectors do with Rahane once the WTC assignment is over. Will he stay in the mix for the next two-year cycle too, or looking at the number of talented batters waiting for a chance, will transition kick in?
Dravid denied looking at it that way. "You don't want him to approach this game as just a one-off," he stressed.
"Sometimes, you get dropped, make a comeback and play for as long as you are performing. It's not written in stone that you only get one match. If he puts in a good performance and shows what he has got, who knows what can happen even when people come back from injury?"
