Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra opined that Ajinkya Rahane was dropped from ODI squad like a fly is removed from milk. Rahane has scored 2962 runs in 90 ODI matches at an average of 35.26 but it is believed that he was dropped for his strike rate of 78.63. However, Rahane’s strike rate is an impressive 94 when he bats at number four.
Rahane has scored 843 runs in 27 matches at an average of 36.65 while batting at number four. The right-hander scored 140 runs in five innings at an average of 35 against South Africa in 2018, which was his last ODI series. The Mumbai batsman scored 336 runs in five ODI matches at an average of 67.20 against West Indies in 2017.
However, Rahane didn’t get many chances to prove his mettle in the limited-overs side.
Aakash Chopra said while talking on YouTube channel, “His (Ajinkya Rahane) numbers at No. 4 were good. And at number 4, if you are giving good performances, consistently playing well and a strike rate of around 94, then why are you not giving him more chances?”
“He was dropped all of a sudden, just like you remove a fly from milk. Why was something like that done? I feel he was hard done by.”
In fact, Chopra is surprised to notice that India has not changed their batting strategy despite dropping Ajinkya Rahane. The current middle order still tries to build the innings in old fashion and they don’t attack the opposition in the middle overs.
Chopra added that India hasn’t adopted England’s way of attacking the opposition and thus he is surprised that a batsman like Rahane is dropped.
“If India had become like England, that they would score 350 in every match, that is the only way they will play, whether it goes their way or not. We didn’t do that. We still play cricket in the traditional orthodox way. We still build the innings and pick a team that can score around 325, so Ajinkya Rahane would have fitted in that.”
Chopra went on to add that Rahane deserves his opportunity in the ODI set-up as he is a technically correct batsman. Rahane’s form hasn’t been best in the last couple of years in the Test matches.
Rahane would want to work on his limited overs game and he definitely can return to the white-ball side. The right-hander will play for Delhi Capitals in the IPL, whenever the tournament happens and he would like to impress with his batting to make a case for himself in the ODI team.
