Former Indian wicket-keeper, Deep Dasgupta opines that the upcoming three Tests between India and Australia will play a crucial role in the careers of veterans like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, especially in the absence of captain Virat Kohli. Rahane has been struggling with the bat this year in Test had his struggles with the bat in 2020, as he has amassed just133 runs from 3 matches so far at an average of just over 22. Pujara hasn’t done any better, scoring 143 runs at 23.83 with 54 being his highest score so far.
Rahane has been retainedas the deputy skipper of the Test team for this series despite his poor form and will be leading the squad in the remaining 3 Tests against Australia as Virat Kohli has returned back to India to be with his pregnant wife Anushka Sharma.
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The pressure on Rahane will be immense as he not only has to inspire the team to make a strong comeback in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne but also find a way to get some runs for the team and himself so that he can lead from the front.
During a recent chat with Sports Today, Deep Dasgupta said, “This is a big series for Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara. And there are a few comments in the comments section which mentions Ajinkya Rahane not doing anything outstanding. He’s had a few good games in the last 2-3 years, not too many hundreds but I completely agree. It could be a make or break series for someone like Ajinkya Rahane and even, maybe to a certain extent, Cheteshwar Pujara.”
Rahane’s record as the Indian skipper is 100% as he won both the Test and scored runs at an average of 47 with the bat. He is one of the rare Indian batsmen who has a better batting average in away Tests (44.38) than on home soil (39.28).
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But with India already conceded 0-1 lead to the Aussies and their best batsman not in the team, the visitors will have to find some inspiration and motivation for a strong fight back and level the series which they won 2-1 on their last tour to Australia in 2018-19.
