There is no looking back: The message seems to be clear from the BCCI Selection Committee for Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. With selectors giving a maiden call-up to Sarfaraz Khan after Rajat Patidar in the IND vs ENG Test series, time could be up on two exceptional Test players. Selectors are looking forward.
Sarfaraz Khan replaced an injured KL Rahul for the IND vs ENG 2nd Test. Rajat Patidar came in as a backup ahead of the IND vs ENG Test series.
With Virat Kohli and KL Rahul both out of IND vs ENG 2nd Test, there was expectation that Rahane or Pujara would get a recall. However, that’s not the case.
Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane was recalled after an excellent IPL season with Chennai Super Kings. He repaid the faith with 89 and 46 in the WTC Final against Australia. But he endured a poor outing in West Indies, scoring 3 & 8 as the axe fell on him once again.
Since then, he hasn’t had a good run of form in domestic cricket. In the Ranji Trophy, he has scores of 0, 0, 16, 8 & 9. Hence, remains in exile as selectors look forward.
Cheteshwar Pujara
With no Virat Kohli and KL Rahul and both Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer struggling, one would have expected Cheteshwar Pujara to be recalled. Pujara was dropped after scores of 14 & 27 in the WTC Final. He did come back in form in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 243 against Jharkhand. He followed that up with 49, 43, 43, 66 and 91 in the next five innings. However, selectors opted for Sarfaraz Khan. Cheteshwar Pujara has also suffered a back injury and had to retire hurt in the Ranji Trophy match.
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