I don't understand the thought process behind Ajinkya Rahane's Test vice-captaincy: Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, former India captain, finds it strange that Ajinkya Rahane has been named as the Test vice-captain after sitting out for almost 18 months. Rahane, who returned to the game after a long break, was crucial for Team India in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval earlier in June, scoring 89 and 46 in the first and second innings, respectively.

The national selection committee, chaired by interim chief Shiv Sunder Das, re-appointed Rahane as the vice-captain for the forthcoming two-match Test series against West Indies, which will be played in Dominica and Trinidad. Apart from the Test series, team India will play three ODIs and five T20Is during their visit. Notably, the two-match Test series will be their first assignment in the new WTC 2023-25 cycle.

When asked if it would have been better to appoint someone like Shubman Gill for the vice-captaincy job, Ganguly responded that he feels so. He did not, however, call Rahane's role a step back, but rather stated that he does not comprehend the process behind his elevation as vice-captain. Ganguly then stated that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been with the team for a long time and he could have been a better pick. The former captain then urged consistency and continuity in the selection process.

"Yeah I think so. I won't say it's a step backward. You have been out for 18 months, then you play a Test and you become a vice-captain. I don't understand the thought process behind it. There is Ravindra Jadeja, who has been there for a long time and a certainty in Test matches, he is a candidate. But to just come back and straightway become vice-captain after 18 months, I don't understand. My only thing is that selection shouldn't be hot and cold. There has to be continuity and consistency in selection," Ganguly was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

Somebody like Pujara can't be dropped, then picked, dropped again, and then picked: Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly went on to say that the selectors know exactly about Cheteshwar Pujara's game. The former BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) president added that a batter like Pujara, who has played more than 100 Tests for India, cannot be excluded from the squad.

"Selectors should have a clear idea about him (Pujara). Do they need him to play Test cricket anymore or do they want to continue with youngsters and communicate it to him. Somebody like Pujara can't be dropped, then picked, dropped again, and then picked. Same with Ajinkya Rahane also," the former skipper added.