Decoding the peculiar Ajinkya Rahane
What's the story
Most Indian batsmen fare well at home, but in foreign conditions they tend to show some discomfort. Ajinkya Rahane is not one among them. In fact, the right handed batsman boasts a stunning average of 53.44 overseas. But what comes as a shock to us is that he hasn't fared well on home soil. Let us decode the mysterious Rahane!
The finest
Batsman for all conditions
Ajinkya Rahane is one batsman who has proved that he can score anywhere overseas. In his 24 test matches overseas, the Mumbai batsman has scored 1817 runs at an average of 53.44. Rahane thrives in conditions where the ball comes on to the bat. In fact, 6 of his 9 tons have come in foreign conditions.
Homesick Rahane
Truth behind struggling Rahane
However, the other side of the argument comes as a shocker. Flat pitches on which our batsman are prolific, Rahane tends to stumble several times and averages just 35.64 in 18 matches. This is way below his overall average of 45.40. The average dipped from 46.11 after Sunday's score of 2.
The Achilles' heel
Mumbai teammate Rohit shines, Rahane falters
On a pitch where he had the chance to redeem himself Rahane was dismissed for just two. He was caught after attempting a square cut against off-spinner Dilruwan Perera. His fellow Mumbai batsman, Rohit Sharma who came in next, made the most of his limited opportunity to silence his critics with a 102 not out. So is spin Rahane's Achilles' heel?
'Tweaker' phobia
Rahane needs to iron out his flaws
The massive innings and 239 run victory against Sri Lanka came because of the 4 individual centurions thriving on spin tracks. But Rahane has been getting out to spinners more often in Tests. Out of the 28 innings in India he has been dismissed 19 times by spinners, that's a hit rate of 67.85%.
Glory days ahead?
Will the real Ajinkya Rahane please stand up?
So why not let Rohit play Test more often instead of Rahane is the thought that might be circling several minds. But its too soon to rule him out. Indian team is on tour for the next two years. It is time for him to rise like a phoenix. Who knows, may be the best part of his career is yet to come.