As Ajinkya Rahane prepares for the upcoming Trinidad Test starting on Thursday, he may find amusement in the unpredictable nature of selectors. After being left out of the Test side due to a prolonged period of poor form, Rahane seemed to have become a forgotten figure in Indian cricket. However, his impressive performances for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League caught the attention of the selectors.
This led to Rahane’s comeback to the Test side, even earning him a spot in the World Championship final. Against Australia at The Oval, he emerged as the most prolific Indian batsman, coming close to scoring a century in the first innings. Despite this, when the time for team changes arrived after the disappointing series, it was Cheteshwar Pujara, the other vulnerable senior player, who was dropped. Rahane, known for his exemplary leadership skills, was even appointed as Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the two-Test series in the West Indies, a decision that raised eyebrows among those who believed it was a step backward.
However, with one ordinary shot in Dominica, where he played a loose shot on a slow wicket and gave an easy catch to short cover, Rahane finds himself in a difficult situation once again. He now needs to deliver a strong performance at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain to fend off the numerous contenders eyeing his place in the team.
