Debasis Sen, Cape Town: Former India cricketer Praveen Amre feels Ajinkya Rahane will come back strongly in the series. The Indian vice captain was unceremoniously dropped from the playing XI in the first test match against South Africa here in Newlands in order to play an extra bowler. Rohit Sharma was preferred over Rahane. Apart from dropping Rahane, the team management made a surprise inclusion in naming Jaspreet Bumrah. The exclusion of Rahane, who hasn’t been firing of late, left Amre perplexed.
“I am really surprised to know that he has been dropped. But you must honour the team management’s decision. They are the best judge of the condition in Cape Town,”said Amre to xtratime.in from Mumbai.
He added, “It is shocking as well as he is the vice captain of the team. It was such a crucial series and the impact of the first test may affect the outcome of the series. Looking at the history Rahane has done well in overseas conditions even in the last tour in South Africa.”
The Mumbai batsman has been the most successful batsman overseas for India in recent times. Fans will still remember the innings he played at Lords on a seaming wicket to guide India to victory.
According to Amre, “Even in the series against Australia he played a match winning knock in Dharamsala.”
Rahane has been a consistent performer for the team on overseas conditions in the last couple of years. Moreover, Rahane offers a safe pair of hands in the slip cordon, which has been a problem area for this Indian side.
According to Amre, “Remember the last time India won a test match outside sub-continent was on a green seaming wicket at Lords where he scored a century. It was a tough decision to swallow but we must respect the team management’s decision.”
Rahane has been preparing under Amre in Mumbai before arriving in South Africa. According to Amre, “We have really worked hard before he left for South Africa. He was training under me at Bandra Kurla complex.”
On being asked whether the decision to drop him will affect him mentally, Amre said, “I know him (Ajinkya) very well. This will not affect him at all mentally. He is a guy with a strong character. He had made comebacks earlier as well. He is a team man to the core. Knowing him closely, I am sure he will come back strongly in the series if he gets an opportunity.”