The Indian Test specialist, Ajinkya Rahane, and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant on Monday were seen taking tips from former cricketer Vinod Kambli in the nets in Mumbai during their preparation for the upcoming South Africa tour later this month. Kambli, who played 17 Tests for India from 1993 to 1995, gave some batting tips to Rahane, who has been struggling to get his form back in red-ball cricket for the last couple of years now.
Rahane even lost his vice-captaincy to Rohit Sharma last week after yet another dismal batting performance in the home series against New Zealand. Rohit though was ruled out of the 3 Tests in South Africa on Monday with a hamstring injury, leaving the post vacant for now. Ajinkya Rahane is averaging just over 17 in Tests this year but hopefully, he can turn things around in South Africa if he gets a chance in the playing XI.
Ajinkya Rahane trained with Kambli and his son Christiano in Mumbai along with Rishabh Pant, who has been one of India’s most prolific run-scorers in Tests this year and is averaging just over 41 with the bat.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli To Rest From ODI Series In South Africa Owing To His Daughter’s Birthday?
Tweeting pictures of the training session, Vinod Kambli wrote: “Was a pleasure to help Ajinkya & Rishabh train for the upcoming South Africa series. Shared some valuable insights with them about the SA conditions. My best wishes to them for #SAvIND series. P.S. Christiano got some lessons as well.”
Was a pleasure to help Ajinkya & Rishabh train for the upcoming South Africa series. Shared some valuable insights with them about the SA conditions. My best wishes to them for #SAvIND series.
P.S. Christiano got some lessons as well 😄 pic.twitter.com/bi0aRuyJHj— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349) December 13, 2021
While Rahane and Pant trained with Kambli and his son, opening batsman Mayank Agarwal took blessings from his grandmother before leaving for South Africa. The 30-year-old, who is likely to open with a good friend and his Bengaluru teammate KL Rahul, revealed that he never leaves home without getting a teeka from his grandmother.
ALSO READ: India to host Afghanistan in March 2022; ACB confirms
“No tour starts without this. Grandmom’s teeka and blessings before every competition. It’s been so for as long as I can recall. Their blessings are the foundation on which I build myself. The emotions and the memories are priceless,” Mayank tweeted.
No tour starts without this. Grandmom’s teeka and blessings before every competition. It’s been so for as long as I can recall. Their blessings are the foundation on which I build myself.
The emotions and the memories are priceless. pic.twitter.com/dglIVUf8pw
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) December 12, 2021
