Is Indian test cricket missing Ajinkya Rahane and Pujara-

Is Indian test cricket missing Ajinkya Rahane and Pujara?

India miserably lost the first test against South Africa in Centurion by an innings and 32 runs. It was one of the rare occasions when the Indian team was exposed in both batting and bowling. While batting first, the Indian top order struggled to spend a lot of time in the middle. It was KL Rahul who scored a fighting century, avoiding a collapse. India put up 245 runs in the first innings.

In response, South Africa scored 408 runs, putting a lead of 163 on India. In the second innings, it was only Virat Kohli who had the answer to South Africans. However, there was not any support from the other end. India collapsed on 131, failing to avoid an innings defeat. It was a nightmare for captain Rohit Sharma, who scored a total of 5 runs in both the innings.

Iyer, who is playing at number five, scored 31 in the first innings, and six in the second innings. Shubman Gill, who is now playing at number three scored just two runs in the first innings, and 26 in the second innings.

While both the spots were strongly held by Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, the phase of transition is turning out to be challenging for team India, who aim for another finalist spot in the WTC. The format of WTC provides a cut-throat challenge, and even a single point can be decisive for any team’s qualification.

Cheteshwar Pujara in SENA

Cheteshwar Pujara has played 10 tests in South Africa over 12 years, scoring 535 runs at an average of 28.15. He has one century and six half-centuries during this course. On similar fast wickets in SENA (South Africa-England–New Zealand-Australia), Pujara averages 47.21 in Australia, 29 in England, and 20 in New Zealand. He has 5 centuries in SENA conditions.

Rahane in SENA

Ajinkya Rahane has played 6 tests in South Africa, scoring 402 runs at an average of 36.54. In SENA countries, Rahane averages 42 in Australia, 36.54 in New Zealand and 28.80 in England. Both the players have been the constant number three and number five for team India for a decade.

Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer in Tests

While Gill has just played 19 tests, his average is only 31 in the format. Shreyas Iyer has played 11 tests in which he averages 41.35. It is too early to put pressure on these young boys to fill the shoes of both test specialist batsmen who have carried Indian cricket for a decade. Team India would miss them, but keeping in mind the next five years, both Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are great investments.