Rahane’s chance to lock opening spot

New Delhi,  Injuries to KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan have provided Ajinkya Rahane an opportunity to cement his position at the top of the batting order. The team seeks to build a strong, stable batting unit for next year’s Champions Trophy in England, and Rahane’s good show in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand could help him forge a long-term opening partnership with Rohit Sharma.
“I think Rahane certainly fits in at the top of the order. That is one thing we will persist with, looking at the Champions Trophy,” India coach Anil Kumble said on the eve of the second ODI here.
Not long ago, Rahane had come in for sharp criticism from MS Dhoni for his struggles in rotating the strike on slow pitches. He was, in fact, dropped for the second ODI against Bangladesh in June 2015, after his 25-ball 9 in a chase of 308 in the first ODI. “We have seen that he plays a lot better when there is pace on a wicket. If the wicket is slow, then he struggles to rotate the strike freely,” Dhoni had said that time.
Better numbers
After being axed then, Rahane has focussed more on rotating the strike while looking to pace his innings. After that innings of 9, Rahane’s strike rate has mostly hovered around 70, batting at different positions. He has scored 533 runs from 12 innings at an average of 44.41. This included innings of 58-ball 87, 53-ball 45 and 63-ball 51 against South Africa last year.
In the English conditions that offer seam and swing movement, Rahane’s opening the innings in the Champions Trophy could be a big advantage for India. In eight innings in England as opener, he has scored 309 runs, including a century, with an average of 38.62 and strike rate of over 87.
“It does give us an option once Shikhar and Rahul are fit, but we will only look at that post England Test series when England come for the One-dayers. Till then, Rahane is opening. Looking at the Champions Trophy and the performances, we will then decide who will open,” Kumble said.
Performances — that’s what Rahane would be looking to count on in the remaining four ODIs against New Zealand and the three ODIs against England. In the Dharamsala ODI, Rahane looked good before he got out to a loose shot for a 34-ball 33.
Greenish pitch
After India’s domination in Dharamsala, the Black Caps would need to come up with something special tomorrow. The pitch has a little bit of grass and the fast bowlers are expected to get good carry and bounce. The tinge of green would certainly excite the likes of Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya, who shared five wickets between them in Dharamsala.
“Hardik is someone who gives us the right balance. He can not only bowl at a pretty decent pace, but bats with a lot of freedom,” Kumble said. “All-rounders who can run in and bowl quick and bat are certainly an asset for the team. He has the potential to become an all-rounder and he showed it in the limited opportunities that he has got.”
Dhoni’s change in batting position at No. 5 has set tongues wagging about his abilities to finish matches. Kumble said Dhoni has “enough experience” and “does not need time to settle down”.
“As far as MS is concerned, he has enough experience. He has shown over the years that he has enough capabilities as a batsman,” Kumble added.
Anil Kumble
On Rahane
I think Rahane certainly fits in at the top of the order. That is one thing we will persist with, looking at the Champions Trophy. In this one-day series, definitely Rahane is going to open the batting
On Pandya
Hardik is someone who gives us the right balance. He can not only bowl at a pretty decent pace, but bats with a lot of freedom. All-rounders, who can run in and bowl quick and bat, are certainly an asset for the team. He has the potential to become an all-rounder and he showed it in the limited opportunities that he has got.
On Dhoni
It all depends on match situations. While chasing you need more experience. As far as MS is concerned, he has enough experience. He has shown over the years that he has enough capabilities as a batsman

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