Sourav Ganguly reveals the reasons of Ajinkya Rahane’s better overseas record than at home

Ajinkya Rahane has emerged as one of India’s most classical batsmen over the years. Though he has struggled to stay put in his position in the national squad, the Mumbaikar has been top notch with the willow for his country. However, he also features amongst the rare breed of batsmen who boasts of better numbers in overseas conditions that at home.

Recently, Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian skipper, attended the India Today Conclave 2018 which also featured Rahul Johri, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Prithvi Shaw, the Under-19 World Cup-winning captain and Ajinkya Rahane. During the meet, Ganguly spoke about Rahane’s struggles as a batsman.

Rahane’s challenge to bat in the middle-order

He also highlighted the challenges a batsman has to encounter while facing the old ball “I batted at number five- both home and away. I don’t know whether he (Rahane) will agree or not, batting at number 5 and 6 in India is the toughest things. This is because the ball gets old, it gets soft, and becomes difficult for stroke-play,” Sourav Ganguly said.

Ajinkya Rahane didn’t play the first couple of games during India’s recent Test series against South Africa. However, he churned out a gutsy knock on trying conditions which impressed Dada. “And the same thing when you go overseas, like Rahane did at Jo’Burg, there were three slips and gully. Rahane would hit the ball and it would fly to the boundary. So the value for shots is a lot more,” he added.

There is cut-throat competition pertaining to places in the national squad. However, Rahane has grasped the opportunities and played some useful hands for his team. Nevertheless, despite having runs under his belt, he has found it difficult to cement his position in the team. Rahane’s is currently playing the T20 triangular series in Sri Lanka against the hosts and Bangladesh.