Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reckons Ajinkya Rahane needs to have a big IPL season if he has to make a comeback to the Test team based on IPL performances.
The renowned commentator believes Rahane needs to rack up 600-700 runs in the ongoing season to make a case for himself in the Test team.
Meanwhile, Rahane was dropped from the Test team for the home series against Sri Lanka after the tour of South Africa. The right-hander hasn’t been in the best of forms in the red-ball version as his average is below 30 in the last two years. However, chief selector Chetan Sharma had revealed that the selection doors haven’t closed for Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Rahane also scored a fine hundred for Mumbai in his team’s maiden match of the Ranji Trophy but it was not enough to save his place in the Test team.
On the other hand, Rahane made a decent start to his IPL campaign as he scored 44 runs for KKR against defending champions Chennai Super Kings. However, the right-hander has managed only 28 runs in the last three innings and he has failed to provide a good start to his team.
Rahane is getting the opportunity to open for KKR, which is the ideal position for him in T20 cricket as he can make the most of the powerplay conditions.
“Ideally not, because what is the relation between IPL and Test cricket? But that’s practically what happens (getting a Test call-up based on IPL performance). But Ajinkya hasn’t really capitalized yet. He has not been able to grab the opportunities. If he wants to make a Test comeback based on T20s, then he has to score a minimum of 600-700 runs,” Aakash said on his YouTube channel.
On the other hand, KKR mentor David Hussey had earlier said that Ajinkya Rahane has still got 5-10 years of international cricket left in him.
“He’s been a class player for over a decade, he’s dominated for Rajasthan Royals and I believe he has at least 5-10 years of international cricket left in him,” Hussey had said before the start of the season.
“He might not be scoring the runs he wants recently but the way he is training he’s going to dominate in the IPL and also he’s a leader amongst the group as well.”
KKR will next face Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
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