'Absolutely useless' - Twitter disappointed with Ajinkya Rahane gifting his wicket away with a run-out

The first Test between England and India is currently in progress at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. It has been a gripping action in the middle and as expected, the conditions are extremely tough to bat. The visitors, despite losing the toss, bowled well on the opening day to bundle England out for 183 runs in the first innings. It was important for India then to bat well and their openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul did it to add 97 runs together.

However, there was a collapse in store in the post lunch session on the second day. Rohit’s wicket at the stroke of lunch triggered it and when Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli got out in quick succession, it was important for the vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane to stick around and rebuild the innings with Rahul.

But it wasn’t to be. Rahane got off the mark surviving a run-out chance. But then he got out in the same way looking for a single which wasn’t there at all. In the 44th over, Rahul dropped one in front of cover-point and just took a step forward. But Ajinkya Rahane seemed too keen for a run and almost crossed the halfway mark before his partner told him to return.

It was too late by the time he returned and Jonny Bairstow effected a direct hit to leave India reeling at 112/4. From being 97/0, it soon became 112/4 within half an hour in the second session and the much famed middle-order had collapsed for India.

Test match interestingly poised

Meanwhile, with India’s middle-order collapsing, the Test match is interestingly poised. England have made a comeback after looking helpless in the first session on the second day. KL Rahul holds key for India having got set in the middle while the rest of the batters should hang in around him. Any kind of a lead in the first innings will be key with the conditions really tough to bat.

For the same reason, the fans had hoped for Rahane to stick around after India lost three wickets quickly. But with him gifting his wicket away with a run-out, the fans weren’t pleased at all.

Here’s how they reacted:

If Rahane does not do well in this series on a consistent basis, this would become his last series. Vihari, Shreyas ,KL Rahul are on the line to be slotted in the middles order , once Prithvi and Mayank are available for selection. #IndVsEng

— Induneshan Sachu (@induneshansachu) August 5, 2021

Absolutely senseless running between the wickets by Rahane after surviving a run out chance earlier.

— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) August 5, 2021

Rahane’s running between the wickets this innings #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/ftPcQsG1OC

— Sean (@SBcric) August 5, 2021

Rahane 😢

— RRf 🦎 (@rrf2021) August 5, 2021

bhai woh rahane hai, pavilion me jane ke liye bhag raha tha 👍🏼😓

— somesh (@cricketthinks_) August 5, 2021

Rahane 🙄🙄#IndvsEng #Valimai

— Saiharan S (@SshThalaTwit) August 5, 2021

I can see people here bashing Kohli & Rahane left-right-centre but not saying a single word against Pujara

Such fake people these!#ENGvIND

— Nish Navalkar (@YUVI_NISH) August 5, 2021

If Ashwin can be dropped from time even after some good performances, why is that rule not applicable to Pujara and Rahane?

Both have been below average since 2018

— . (@ManFromMadras_) August 5, 2021

Rahane involved in first innings runout, we know what's coming in 2nd innings

— Cricket lover (@Cricket18_17) August 5, 2021

Rahane and useless runouts.
A story better than a great tragedy movie

— Abdullah Hammad (@abdullahhammad4) August 5, 2021

Sydney test vibes. Rohit falling for hook shot. Rahane getting run out. 😭#ENGvsIND

— Vinoth T (@aadhvikvinoth) August 5, 2021