It's difficult to find a place for Ajinkya Rahane: MS Dhoni

Ajinkya Rahane’s spot in the T20 side has been questioned by T20 experts across the world. Having become one of the first players to be named on the team sheet for Tests and ODIs, Rahane hasn’t really featured for India in T20s of late. His class, elegance and stroke-making abilities have made an impression on many that he is anything but a T20 player.

The 27-year-old Mumbai batsman has found his way into the 15 man squad for the World T20 at home. However, Rahane faces the prospect of warming the bench in most of the matches with the batting lineup looking more or less settled.

Originally an opener, Rahane found his calling in the middle order in the side. With the combination of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan paying great dividends, Rahane will not have a chance in the opening slot. The likes of Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh in the side, make it difficult for Rahane to make it into the middle order.

MS Dhoni, however, has defended the selection of Rahane stating that he is one of the top players in the IPL. “When both the openers perform well, it makes life slightly difficult for the skipper,” said Dhoni

“Rahane, at the end of the day, is a fantastic player but you also have to consider the fact that in Twenty20, he is somebody who has done really well when he is opening the batting.

“If you look at the team we have got for the Twenty20 World Cup, you find it difficult to find a place for him.”

Ajinkya Rahane is rated as one of the best players in the IPL despite his predicament. He was the second highest run-getter in the tournament with Aussie David Warner clinching the top spot.