Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the appointment of Ajinkya Rahane as Test skipper for the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur. Virat Kohli was rested for the T20I series as well as the first Test match of the series. In Kohli’s absence, BCCI named Ajinkya Rahane to lead the side.

Aakash Chopra has said there were questions raised on Rahane’s selection in the team during India’s last Test series in England.

Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane to lead India in the first Test against New Zealand

“You have picked Ajinkya Rahane as the captain. But the truth is also that, let’s be honest, there was a question about him being selected for the last Test against England if the match had happened,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“As much as I like Ajinkya Rahane, the fact is that the average has been seen falling down only. There has been an odd good knock in between for sure but the average has fallen 20 points in the last two years. Rahane’s average has never gone so low.”

Aakash Chopra has further mentioned that Rahane had been dropped if he hadn’t scored a half-century in the Lord’s Test. He also feels that the New Zealand series will be important for his career going forward.

Also Read: Aakash Chopra refers David warner as the soul of the Australian T20I side

“If he had not made the half-century at Lord’s – the partnership with Pujara in the second innings, it would have been a further point of discussion if you had to find a replacement for Ajju as well. If Rohit Sharma will be the vice-captain and Ajinkya might be put on notice. But at this moment, he has been named the captain,” he said.

“It is a very important series for Rahane. He is there as a captain but he will have to score runs because there is pressure. The last one year has been really ordinary from his standards, by any standards actually.”

New Zealand will tour India to play in three T20Is and two Test matches, starting from November 17.