Twitter Reactions: Ajinkya Rahane fails in yet another limited overs game

Ajinkya Rahane, the India Test vice-captain, let another opportunity in the 50-over game go by him as he was castled by Mustafizur Rahman in the second warm-up game for India. Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and put India in at the Oval as the conditions suited the fast bowlers.

His bowlers responded immediately as they sent Rohit Sharma back in the second over with just 3 runs on the board. Instead of Virat Kohli, fans saw Ajinkya Rahane striding out to the centre to bat at No. 3. He looked in imperious touch from the onset. Rahane played one of the strokes of the morning when he drove Mushfiqur Rahman down the ground for a classy boundary.

The 28-year old hasn’t had the kind of success in ODI cricket as he would have liked. He averages a mere 32.42 after 73 games which don’t reflect his potential as a batsman. He had a perfect opportunity to resurrect his ODI career as he was included in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy because he is capable of handling swing and seam bowling. The first warm-up game could result in just 7 runs for the elegant batsman. Rahane is facing stern pressure from the returning duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. While Rohit is expected to play straight away, the team management would be fretting in choosing one out of Dhawan and Rahane.

Rahane had the perfect opportunity to make a case for his selection in the XI but yet again he could not get runs against his name. After driving Mustafizur crisply down the ground Rahane attempted the same shot on the first ball of the 6th over, except that the ball was further away from Rahane than the previous one so it had time to curl back into Rahane, which it did, bringing the right-handers downfall. Rahane played it on to his stumps trying to drive on the up in order to repeat the stroke he played 2 overs ago.

Time is running out for Rahane, who enjoys unconditional support from the team management. He might not get a look-in in the first couple of games unless Dhawan fails miserably.

Here are the best tweets for Rahane’s dismissal:

2 inside edges on to the stumps! Unlucky for both Rohit & Rahane! Good controlled bowling by B'desh though! #IndvBan #CT17 #BANvIND

— Aniruddh (@aniruddhacts) May 30, 2017

One more chance for Rahane today and same story. Even my legend husband Stuart Binny would have performed if given so many chances. #IndvBan

— Mayanti Langer (@Langer_Mayanti) May 30, 2017

If Kohli plays Rahane ahead of Rohit against Pak we riot..

— Murali Mohan S (@Shhy10) May 30, 2017

Rahane with another failure in warm-up.. whatever the tiniest chance of him getting place in playing XI for #CT17 was, is surely gone now. ?

— Yash (@meraJunoon_) May 30, 2017

This is what happens when you select players ignoring their current form. #rahane #IndvBan

— Vardaan (@vardaan2012) May 30, 2017

Rahane loves to waste his chances From Virat to Selectors all want him to succeed ?

— Amit Bhilwade (@ab619cricket) May 30, 2017

Our expert cutter @Mustafiz90 clatters Rahane's stumps to have him walk back to the pavilion. #INDvBAN #CT17

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) May 30, 2017

Rahane will have no one to blame if he's left out of the starting XI on Sunday.

— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) May 30, 2017

Mustafizur is the most important asset of the Bangladesh team. Top bowling! Rahane fails again. #IndvBan

— Jaanvi ? (@ThatCricketGirl) May 30, 2017

Ajinkya Rahane should either return home now or play some county cricket like ChePu. No point warming bench.

— P₹akash $inha ?? (@Predicto_Praky) May 30, 2017

Top order for India looks so weak with Rahane, Rohit and Shikhar all playing below average in warmup matches. #CT17

— Pankaj Ahuja (@panku_) May 30, 2017

Rahane is done hacking at a widish one. Thick inside edge onto the stumps. #IndvBan #CT17

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) May 30, 2017