Former senior selection committee chief MSK Prasad backed Ajinkya Rahane’s selection for the South Africa tour, adding that experienced players are a must for overseas tours. Prasad added that Rahane always does well in overseas conditions but his dip in form has put the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee in a spot.
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.
“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 judgement,” he added.
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.
However, Rahane has scored more than 3000 runs overseas at an average of 41.71, which is better than his dipping home numbers of 35.73. In the last 10 years, 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.
