Friday, March 29, 2024
Advertisement
  1. You Are At:
  2. News
  3. Sports
  4. Cricket
  5. India vs South Africa: Ajinkya Rahane likely to be included in playing XI for 3rd Test

India vs South Africa: Ajinkya Rahane likely to be included in playing XI for 3rd Test

Ajinkya Rahane was not picked for the first two Tests, with the Indian team management instead preferring to go with limited overs specialist Rohit Sharma on "current form".

India TV Sports Desk Edited by: India TV Sports Desk New Delhi Updated on: January 22, 2018 12:07 IST
India vs South Africa 2018 Ajinkya Rahane
Image Source : GETTY IMAGES A file image of Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane

India hinted at a recall for Ajinkya Rahane in the third Test against South Africa, days after his omission from the first two matches of the series raised eyebrows. One of the most successful Indian batsmen overseas in recent years, vice-captain Rahane was not picked for the Tests at Cape Town and Centurion, with the Indian team management instead preferring to go with limited overs specialist Rohit Sharma on "current form".

Sharma's failure to live upto the expectations and the Indian batting's inability to stand up to the South African pace attack in the preceding matches attracted widespread criticism, leading to a fiery press conference in the aftermath of the series loss in Centurion.

Even in the face of back-to-back humiliating defeats, the Indian team management, led by skipper Virat Kohli, remained defiant on team selection.

However, if today's practice session at the Wanderers was any indication, there is a possibility of Rahane being drafted back into the playing XI for the inconsequential third Test starting here on Wednesday.

Interestingly enough, at the nets, Rahane padded up and lined up along with Kohli and Hardik Pandya in what could be the suggestive middle-order in the upcoming Test.

Even after the routine batting and fielding sessions ended, Kohli and Rahane went back into the nets for an extended session.

They were the last ones to walk out of a nearly four-hour-long training session.

While Pandya opened up with some big hits as per his natural style of play, both Kohli and Rahane looked solid against pacers. When they batted, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami even bowled with new Kookaburra balls.

India had lost the first Test in Cape Town by 72 runs, they were beaten in the second match at Centurion by 135 runs to surrender an unassailable lead.

(With PTI Inputs)

Advertisement

Read all the Breaking News Live on indiatvnews.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Sports and Cricket Section

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement