SA vs IND 2022: I would not give Ajinkya Rahane another innings – Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Ajinkya Rahane should be dropped from the Test team and he would not give the veteran batter another innings in the red-ball format.

Rahane continued his horrid run of form as he was dismissed after scoring only a solitary run in the second innings of the third Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Thursday.

Rahane received a peach of a delivery from Kagiso Rabada which jumped of a length and the batter could handle the extra bounce. The on-field umpire ruled not out but the decision was overturned on DRS after there was a clear spike in the ultra edge.

Furthermore, Rahane was dismissed for only nine runs in the first innings of the third Test match. Thus, the right-hander hasn’t been able to come up with consistent performances for the national team.

Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPN Cricinfo: “It’s (his dismissal) a combination of a good delivery and Ajinkya Rahane’s form. He needs to go back and play first-class cricket and hopefully get his mojo back. I would not give Rahane another innings. Pujara has a stronger case in my book. Nothing about Rahane in the last 3-4 years gives me hope that he is coming back into form. There have been glimmers when he got a hundred in Melbourne. But, apart from that, nothing much.”

In 27 Test innings since the start of 2021, Rahane has scored only 547 runs at a paltry average of 20.25 and has scored just three half-centuries. On the other hand, former South African batter Daryl Cullinan feels it is an end of the road for Ajinkya Rahane and reckons Mayank Agarwal could also get an axe.

“Again there was no foot movement. Perhaps he is intimidated by the bounce and the sideways movement. He has occupied that position now (for a long time). He must be on the list.”

He added: “I am not convinced about (Mayank) Agarwal. They are the two (facing the axe), if I was Rahul Dravid, looking at batsmen to play abroad. If he’s honest with himself, he might be thinking it’s the end of the road (for Rahane). There’s some young exciting talent which now deserves a run.”

There is no doubt that Ajinkya Rahane has received ample opportunities but he hasn’t been able to prove his mettle. Meanwhile, India needs another eight wickets to win the third Test match while the Proteas need another 111 runs to win.