Ajinkya Rahane needs to keep scoring runs to stay in the Test team: Jaffer
Mumbai Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes that current vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will have to keep scoring runs to stay in the Test team. The 35-year-old Rahane made a comeback into the Indian Test team on the back of impressive performances in the IPL this year and made a strong impression in the World Test Championship final against Australia earlier this year. He, however, failed to make an impact in both his innings on the West Indies tour, which once again raised questions over his consistency.
Jaffer, who played 31 Tests for India, said, “Rahane will have to show consistency in his game, which has been his problem. He may have played 80-90 Tests (84) but consistency has been an issue with him. He will have to overcome this because he is a good captaincy option for India after Rohit Sharma’s departure. He scored a century in Melbourne… If his form continues, he would have been the next Test captain.
Jaffer said it would also be difficult for Cheteshwar Pujara to make a comeback into the Test team as the focus would be on young players in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle. The former India opener said, “As far as Pujara is concerned, I think it will be a bit difficult to move forward. You also need to start watching the new players boys for the next World Test Championship cycle. Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant will be back. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been successful. (Shubman) Gill will play in all three formats. I think it will be difficult for Pujara to make a comeback.
