Ajinkya Rahane has been a total flop, don't know why Suryakumar Yadav and Hanuma Vihari are not playing: Danish Kaneria

Continuing with his dismal batting form, the Indian vice-captain had another forgettable day at the office as he went out cheaply during the fourth Test at The Oval. The right-hander is currently averaging a poor 18.17 in six innings, having scored just 109 runs, of which 61 came during the first innings of the Lord’s Test.

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria believes that India needs to think and make a decision regarding Rahane’s position in the team, as he suggested that players waiting on the bench like Suryakumar Yadav and Hanuma Vihari need to be given a chance.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaneria said: “India’s middle-order collapsed again. Ajinkya Rahane has been a total flop in this series. I think, now the time has come for India to really think about Ajinkya Rahane. Not only Rahane, India’s overall batting is in poor form.”

“I don’t know why Suryakumar Yadav and Hanuma Vihari are not being given a chance in the playing XI. Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw were called up to the Indian team in England from Sri Lanka. Everyone has seen how Rahane is struggling. As for Suryakumar Yadav, he looks like someone who is capable of scoring runs in all conditions. He could have been given a chance according to me,” he added.

Experts’ take on Ravindra Jadeja’s promotion over Ajinkya Rahane

Notably, Rahane was demoted in his batting position during the fourth Test, leaving many surprised as Ravindra Jadeja was sent in to bat at No. 5. The strange ploy left many cricket experts surprised too, with them speculating the probable reason behind the move that did not materialize too well in the end as Jadeja could only manage 10 runs.

“I am just thinking what Ajinkya Rahane is going through. One of your best batsmen, vice-captain of the side. Even before he has walked in, it’s like Rahane has almost got a signal, saying ‘we’re not too sure about you’,” Ajay Jadeja said on the Sony Sports Network.

“It could be the left-hander combination but I am just thinking in terms of someone who is uncertain with not a lot of runs. Before you walk in, you have got Ravindra walking ahead of you and there will be some time, whenever he walks in, he is going to be thinking about it,” Jadeja added further.

“Ajinkya Rahane came in and sat and put on his gloves. He may have been on a toilet break. Maybe they didn’t want to send Pant. Maybe he has been demoted down the order. Jadeja has batted longer in this series than Pant,” Sunil Gavaskar said on the Sony Sports Network.