Difficult for Ajinkya Rahane to get into first team, says Aakash Chopra

The BCCI put an end to speculation about India’s Test vice-captain on Saturday, a position that became vacant when Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the red-ball leg of the South Africa tour. The position has been filled by KL Rahul, who was appointed by the board. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that this indicates that the team management has seemingly moved on from Ajinkya Rahane, who has long served as captain Virat Kohli’s deputy in red-ball cricket. A slump in form has meant that the middle-order batter is no longer the Test vice-captain, and with Rahul being elevated to the role of Rohit’s backup, it may be difficult for the Mumbai cricketer to even break into the India’s first eleven.

“KL Rahul has been appointed as India’s Test vice-captain since Rohit Sharma is injured. Rahul Dravid is the coach, Rohit is the captain of white-ball formats,” Chopra said in a video he shared on Indian social media platform Koo.

“I think Rahul may be appointed vice-captain in ODIs also. It might be difficult for Ajinkya Rahane to find a place in the (Test) XI. He was captain just a couple of Test matches ago but right now he’s not even the vice-captain. Things are changing in Indian cricket,” he added.

KL RAHUL NAMED VICE CAPTAIN FOR TEST SERIES AGAINST SA

BCCI named KL Rahul as India’s vice-captain for the three-match Test series in South Africa, which begins on December 26. Rohit strained his hamstring during a training session before the team’s trip to South Africa. The BCCI confirmed earlier this week in an official press release that Rohit had been ruled out due to a left hamstring injury. Due to a hamstring injury, the star batter also missed a limited-overs series in Australia last year. 

Also Read – India vs South Africa: KL Rahul named vice captain for upcoming Test series

“The All-India Senior selection committee has named KL Rahul as vice-captain for the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa. KL Rahul replaces Rohit Sharma as vice-captain, who was ruled out of the Test series owing to a hamstring injury,” the BCCI stated in a press release on Saturday.

ROHIT’S INJURY, PANCHAL NAMED REPLACEMENT

Rohit, who had been practising at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, was injured during one of those practise sessions, it has been revealed. It is still unclear whether he will be available for the three-match One-Day International series, for which he was named captain.

When he spoke about the limited-overs captaincy in an interview with bcci.tv on Sunday, Rohit expressed his displeasure to the support staff during the practise session. The physiotherapists performed the tests on Monday, which revealed the seriousness of the injury.

The BCCI has also named Priyank Panchal, Gujarat and India A captain for two of the three four-day matches played recently in South Africa, as Rohit’s replacement for the Test series.

“Team India Test vice-captain Rohit Sharma sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa. Priyank Panchal will replace Rohit Sharma in the Test squad,” said the BCCI release at that time.

Panchal, the opening batter from Gujarat, scored 120 runs for India A in three innings at an average of 40, including a high score of 96 against South Africa A. He has played in 100 first-class matches, scoring 7011 runs at an average of 45.52 and scoring 24 centuries.