Ajinkya Rahane has been a vital cog in the Indian Test team whenever they tour abroad. Despite a dip in his form, nobody takes him for granted as Rahane has the ability to take the game away even in alien conditions. Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman recalled Rahane’s century at Lord’s back in 2014 and he still remembers how he batted.

India toured England in 2014 for five Test matches under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. It was Rahane’s first Test tour of England and he instantly impressed the critiques with a sensational century at Lord’s, which helped India to gain a historic win.

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However, things haven’t gone according to Rahane’s liking in the recent past. Though he did well in Australia earlier this year as he led India to the historic win. And his hundred in Melbourne was among the highlight of the series.

Talking about Rahane’s importance, Laxman admitted he is an important cog in India’s batting lineup.

“Ajinkya Rahane is a very important member of this Indian batting line-up, especially in overseas conditions. I still remember the way he batted at Lord’s, in Melbourne and also the way he batted in South Africa was instrumental in India winning those Test matches,” Laxman said during a discussion on Star Sports.

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Rahane played a captain’s knock in Melbourne after a debacle in Adelaide. However, since that century, Rahane managed only one fifty in the next 13 innings. Also, his last tour of England in 2018 saw him scoring only two half-centuries in 10 innings. He would be eager to change things around during the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

“The one thing I feel that Ajinkya Rahane has to sort out is his game plan against short-pitched deliveries. We saw that in the series against New Zealand, we also saw that in the World Test Championship final,” Laxman further added.

The first Test between England and India will begin on August 4 in Nottingham’s Trent Bridge.