IND beat NZ: Virat Kohli backs Ajinkya Rahane- India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane might have lost the trust of BCCI top brass but India skipper Virat Kohli has chosen to remain loyal to his deputy. Following a year of poor run of form, BCCI is all set to remove Rahane from Test vice-captaincy role and his place in the squad for South Africa has also been doubtful. But Kohli claimed, nobody can judge Rahane given his contribution to the team. Follow India vs South Africa on InsideSport.IN.
Days after head coach Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour came in support of Ajnkya Rahane, Test skipper Virat Kohli backed the Mumbaikar amid a lean patch with the bat. He said that the team management doesn’t panic like the public, saying that one should back those who delivered during hard times. The statements come a day before BCCI is set to announce India’s squad for South Africa tour.
“Nobody can judge Ajinkya Rahane. He obviously knows what he has to do. You should back those who have delivered in hard times. We do not react like the public and back all the players not based on what others think about them. whether it is Ajinkya or someone else. We won’t make a decision based on the atmosphere outside,” Kohli said at the post-match press conference after India beat New Zealand to clinch the series.
IND beat NZ: Despite opposition from BCCI top brass, Virat Kohli confirms Ajinkya Rahane will go to South Africa, says, ‘Nobody can judge Rahane’
Now, the ball is in the selector’s court to decide the fate of Rahane’s Test future with his vice-captaincy in jeopardy owing to his forgetful form in the last 12 months.
As per information available with InsideSport, there won’t be too many surprises in coach Rahul Dravid’s first overseas assignment as he is not someone who believes in rocking the boat which means that Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will be boarding the Johannesburg flight as of now. However, Rahane will find it very difficult to keep his position as Kohli’s Test deputy as he no longer is an automatic choice in the playing XI. Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Hanuma Vihari are some of the middle-order choices to replace Rahane in the eleven.
“It’s a difficult situation. He has been struggling but he has the backing of the team management. He has had an excellent career. His selection is completely up to the team management,” a BCCI official told InsideSport on Sunday.
IND beat NZ: Virat Kohli says, ‘Nobody can judge Ajinkya Rahane, You should back those who delivered during hard times’
Kohli lauds Mayank Agarwal- Virat Kohli also opened up on opener Mayank Agarwal’s gritty knocks of 150 and 62. He said that Agarwal is a great asset for the team and he has proven it time and again over the years. He was impressed by his great application, resilience and character in the Mumbai Test.
“Great application from Mayank. To play at this level for a long period of time, he has shown great character. We have all gone through certain stages in our career where we have had to bring that impact performance and he has done that. This will help him in being consistent for India in the coming years, he is definitely an asset. These types of innings will certainly give him confidence,” Kohli said.
“Great application from Mayank. To play at this level for a long period of time, he has shown great character. We have all gone through certain stages in our career where we have had to bring that impact performance and he has done that. This will help him in being consistent for India in the coming years, he is definitely an asset. These types of innings will certainly give him confidence,” he further stated.
Kohli calls Mohd Siraj ‘huge boost’- The 33-year-old also praised Mohammad Siraj who proved himself at home after paying rich dividends in Australia and England this year. He called him a huge boost for the team, especially in challenging conditions. Siraj was able to get bite and purchase of the Wankhede wicket while all the other seamers in the game were not able to leave much of an impact.
“Siraj has come a long way, he is someone who has lot of skill and talent. He puts in great effort every time he bowls, his performance is a great boost for him. We can rely on a guy like that. It is a great sign for any team to have a bowler like that who can give you key breakthroughs which can prove to be the difference in winning a Test match or drawing it,” said Kohli.
“If you have a look at the Lord’s Test against England, the ball stopped swinging but he was able to get purchase of the wicket because of the skill he has. He has come a long way, he is probably in the best head space he has been as a bowler. It is about developing that and staying fit and be the bowler that the team wants him to be,” he added.
IND beat NZ: Despite opposition from BCCI top brass, Virat Kohli confirms Ajinkya Rahane will go to South Africa, says, ‘Nobody can judge Rahane’
A number of players including rested Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and injured KL Rahul will return for the South Africa tour. Kohli said that the number of options is a good headache to have with all boxes ticked ahead of a new challenge.
Talking about the role of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli said that the team management will have a lengthy discussion for different positions in the batting order.
“Lengthy discussion needs to take place for specialists at different positions. We will come with a collective decision,” he said.
He also praised Axar Patel’s rise as an allrounder saying that he provides a good balance to the team and hunger to play long.
Opening up on his poor form, Virat Kohli said that the basics remain the same. He managed scores of duck and 36. “Follow the Process and keep working hard behind the scene. Obviously, there is an evolution that needs to come with it,” he said, adding it applies to all the players who are undergoing poor form.
IND beat NZ: Virat Kohli says, ‘Nobody can judge Ajinkya Rahane, You should back those who delivered during hard times’
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