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India vs England 2021: Hanuma Vihari Will Get A Chance Ahead Of Ajinkya Rahane At Old Trafford, Feels VVS Laxman
Seems like the dismissal for a duck of Ajinkya Rahane during India‘s second innings of the Oval Test could be the last straw. It is, at least, as far as VVS Laxman is concerned; he suggests that the time has come to “give him a break”.
Ajinkya Rahane continued his lean patch – he averages less than 25 since the start of last year; only thrice in 27 innings he has crossed 50 – as he registered a duck after scoring 14 in the first innings, which followed scores of 1, 18, and 10.
VVS Laxman reckoned the batsman looked low on confidence during his scratchy 8-ball stay at the crease – when he was given out once to an lbw call while shouldering his arms but survived due to a review.
“I think it’s time to give him a break. I’m not sure about what the future will hold for Ajinkya Rahane because he’s a quality player. But I think the kind of form and the kind of confidence he has shown so far, the body language when he was in the middle – even for 8 balls – was not convincing,” VVS Laxman told ESPNcricinfo.
Vihari will get a chance ahead of Ajinkya Rahane: VVS Laxman
The 46-year-old commentator also opined that India should, and are likely to, bring in Hanuma Vihari in place of Ajinkya Rahane for the fifth Test in Manchester. Vihari last played for India during his and R Ashwin’s epic rearguard in Sydney. He has been fit for this entire tour, but hasn’t been able to find a place in the eleven yet.
He also pointed out that Ravindra Jadeja was promoted over Rahane in both the innings – an indication that the management now doesn’t have enough faith in the senior batsman.
“By promoting Jadeja in the second innings also, the message is very clear that the management feels that Ajinkya Rahane is not in a great rhythm, out of touch and low in confidence. So, I feel, at Old Trafford, probably there will be a change – Vihari will get a chance ahead of Ajinkya Rahane,” Laxman added.
Meanwhile, India have extended their lead beyond 300 runs; fifties from Shardul Thakur and Rishabh Pant aided India’s cause as they now take a dominating, match-winning position.
Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli Edges Moeen Ali To Slip; India Continue To Stumble At The Oval
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