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Wasim Jaffer Feels Ajinkya Rahane Should’ve Captained In Johannesburg
By CricShots - Jan 8, 2022 4:36 pm
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Former Indian opener, Wasim Jaffer questioned India’s decision to replace skipper, Virat Kohli, with KL Rahul despite the presence of former deputy skipper, Ajinkya Rahane in the 2nd Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. India lost the 2nd Test to South Africa by 7 wickets as Dean Elgar and his men chased a record total of 240 on Day 5 in the final innings.

kohli
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane

While Rahul led from the front with a fifty in the first innings, his captaincy, especially in the fourth innings came under the scanner as South Africa managed to score freely. Ajinkya Rahane was sacked as vice-captain over poor form ahead of the South Africa tour. However, the senior batter managed to retain his place in the side. Despite getting out for a golden duck in the first innings of the 2nd Test, he played a brilliant knock of 58 in the second innings to help India set a target of 240 in Johannesburg.

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As per the quotes in Insidesport, Wasim Jaffer said, “I am surprised by the team management. When you have someone as good as Ajinkya Rahane available who has not lost any Test as a captain and won you a Test series in Australia, do you need to give the Test captaincy to KL Rahul? I have nothing against KL Rahul. He is young and has captained the Punjab Kings. People are thinking about him as a future captain. But I think Rahane should have led the side in Kohli’s absence.”

Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer

Meanwhile, Wasim Jaffer also said India missed Virat Kohli’s energy in the 2nd Test, highlighting that the skipper’s aggression works in the favour of the visitors. 

Elaborating the same, Wasim Jaffer said, “India definitely missed Virat Kohli, the captain, because he brings so much aggression to the field. When you have such a player on the field, you know you will be held accountable if you make a mistake. So, they missed that energy.”

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South Africa leveled the series 1-1 after Dean Elgar’s heroics and they will be pumped up when the two sides meet in what promises to a blockbuster 3rd Test, starting January 11 in Cape Town. Virat Kohli is likely to return for the 3rd Test as head coach Rahul Dravid said after the Johannesburg Test that the skipper is recovering from the back spasm and is on track to play the series finale.