Ajinkya Rahane’s role in Indian team needs to be defined: Sourav Ganguly

A lynchpin in the Indian batting line-up at the top of the order, Ajinkya Rahane has been one of the most consistent performers for the Men in Blue over the past couple of seasons. In the ongoing Caribbean tour, Rahane has impressed with scores of 62, 103 and 72. However, the right-hander’s role in the team needs to be defined by the team management, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly emphasised.

With a win in the previous fixture, India leads the five-match series 2-0. However, it was a match in which India’s top order failed to score too many runs. The bowling department, on the other hand, put up an incredible performance, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin claiming three wickets as the hosts fell woefully short of the target. Windies next play in a must-win fixture today at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. A defeat would crown the Men in Blue the winner of the series.

Excerpts from Ganguly’s column

Ganguly wrote in his column for the Times of India, “I believe Kohli should immediately sit with Rahane and define his role in the team clearly so that a talent like him knows the road ahead clearly,” he added. “A free-minded Rahane will not only take his game a few notches higher but will also know about his importance in the squad.”

Dada also commented on the decline of the West Indies side, who failed to qualify for the recently-concluded Champions Trophy. The former India captain added that the West Indian cricket officials “need to pull up their socks to reclaim their legacy” because “world cricket will only get poorer” without them.

Lauding chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, Ganguly said that he poses a lot of variation in his bowling, especially on flat tracks and this ability of his is an asset for the side. And quite rightly so. Kuldeep currently leads the wicket-taking charts with six in two innings.

“This boy has a lot of variation in his bowling, and especially on flat tracks this ability of his could be an asset for the side,” said Ganguly.

“The Indian spinners looked a bit worn out on the flat pitches during the Champions Trophy and you need bowlers like Kuldeep in such situations where the pitch is not offering much help,” he wrote. “Kuldeep also has the ability to become an important cog in this Indian ODI squad because of the qualities he brings to the table,” concluded the former Indian skipper.