IND vs SA Tests: Rahane fails to impress, was his selection over Shreyas Iyer justified?

Ajinkya Rahane's selection over an in-form Shreyas Iyer for the Centurion Test vs South Africa left many cricket experts baffled. But India's former vice-captain looked good to prove his critics wrong when he came out all guns blazing on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.

However, after Day 2 was washed out, Rahane failed to convert that good start into a big one and was out for 48, thus missing out on what would have been his 25th Test half-century. With that, Rahane's poor run continued as his last Test ton came 23 innings ago. He has also managed just 2 scores of over fifty during this period.

His average has also seen a drastic dip in the last couple of years. Rahane who averaged over 71 in 2019, scored just 272 runs in 8 innings the next year as his average came down to 39. 2021 has been a disastrous year for the batter as he averages a mere 20.8 in 22 innings.

Also read: IND vs SA Tests: Pujara's miseries continue, dismissed for a golden duck in Centurion