Despite India’s collective batting collapse at Pune against Australia, middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane found himself at the receiving end of the trolls as Twitterati declares Rahane as not so dependable anymore. He managed to score 13 and 18 in first and second innings contributing to the batting collapse.
Twitterati did not just bash him but named his replacement for the second Test to be played at Bengaluru starting March 5. There was quite a stir among fans before Bangladesh one-off Test at Hyderabad. They expected triple centurion Karun Nair to feature in playing XI after his terrific display of batting against England.
But, contrary to popular belief, skipper Virat Kohli backed Rahane to play in one-off Test as he could not ignore Rahane’s hard work of 2 years to stay in the side. Rahane made his skipper not regret the decision by scoring a half century against Bangladesh and scoring rapidly when the situation needed him to in the second innings.
Dear @BCCI and @imVkohli plz throw out #AjinkyaRahane we all know he is useless… and ask him to gain some weight #BringBackKarunNair
— Randeep Hooda (@khaliqrizvi1) February 25, 2017
Indian middle order is weak and was exposed twice.Seriously, dont think #AjinkyaRahane can hold it when early down. #INDvAUS #TestOfTheBest
— Vivrit WSP (@Vivrit) February 25, 2017
#India should not panic.The #Aussies applied better.Amazing opening to a tough series. #IshantSharma & #AjinkyaRahane have no job. #IndvAus
— Vivrit WSP (@Vivrit) February 25, 2017
Despite the whole Indian batting lineup being shredded into pieces, Rahane does not escape from Twitterati’s spotlight as they do not consider him the perfect candidate for a middle order batsman. He got out to spin Steve O’Keefe in both the innings who got 12 wickets in the Test.
Considering the fact that India play their next Test in Bangalore, #KarunNair should replace #AjinkyaRahane.
— YAMAN AKSHAY (@akshay14793) February 25, 2017
#peterhandscomb is playing spin better than #AjinkyaRahane what it shows? @anilkumble1074 #bcci #@imVkohli #INDvsAUS @cricketaakash
— Harshad parmar (@Harshad9Parmar) February 24, 2017
Even after spending 40 minutes on the crease @ajinkyarahane88 is still struggling not good signs #IndvAus #ajinkyarahane @anilkumble1074
— Harshad parmar (@Harshad9Parmar) February 24, 2017
In the first innings, Rahane edged the ball into the hands of first slip fielder Peter Handscomb. He maintained a really low strike rate as the team was under pressure because of regular fall of wickets.
Indian middle order is weak and was exposed twice.Seriously, dont think #AjinkyaRahane can hold it when early down. #INDvAUS #TestOfTheBest
— Vivrit WSP (@Vivrit) February 25, 2017
There you go #ajinkyarahane struggling and looking nervous that too against off spinner reality check for Indians #IndvAus @anilkumble1074
— Harshad parmar (@Harshad9Parmar) February 24, 2017
After his performance in the first innings, Rahane looked in good touch during second innings. He was attacking the bowlers as defending was no longer an option for them. He had already scored three boundaries in his inning of 18 runs. But, Rahane threw his wicket away as he went over the top attacking the in-form bowler O’Keefe. In an attempt to hit the ball through covers Rahane had the ball hitting the upper part of the bat.
#INDvsAUS ajinkya rahane love to play in overseas tours not in india because he can’t play spin
— dinesh bhambhu (@BhambhuDinesh) February 25, 2017
In an attempt to hit the ball through covers Rahane had the ball hitting the upper part of the bat. The ball went straight in the hands of Nathan Lyon, he did not even have to move from his position to take that one. An irresponsible shot meant that India lose another wicket after Cheteshwar Pujara showed promise with their attacking play.
Ajinkya Rahane is not good enough! He is not even a flat track bully! #IndvAus #BBCCricket
— Comatose Marionette (@atulaloke) February 25, 2017
Dear Ajinkya Rahane,
There’s A Batsman,Karun Nair, Left Out Of The Team 4 U, Having Scored Triple Ton In His Last Match. #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) February 25, 2017
Twitterati want Kohli to include Karun Nair in the Indian side when they play the second Test at Bengaluru on March 5.
