As the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final approaches, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar shares his perspective on Ajinkya Rahane’s role in the crucial match. Manjrekar believes that Rahane will face less pressure due to his recent exclusion from the team and expects no major changes in his performance.
Ajinkya Rahane’s recall into the Indian squad for the WTC Final came as a result of injuries to Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. The talented batsman had been dropped from the team last year following a difficult period of form, with his last international appearance being in January 2022 against South Africa.
However, despite the setback, Rahane demonstrated resilience and put in impressive performances during the domestic season, accumulating over 600 runs. Yet, despite his efforts, he was left out of the BCCI’s annual contract list.
Although not many expected his inclusion in the Indian squad, Rahane showcased exceptional form in the IPL 2023, earning him a spot back in the team. The WTC Final presents a significant opportunity for him to reaffirm his place in the side and prove his worth once again.
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Sanjay Manjrekar suggests that Ajinkya Rahane will experience a sense of relief as he sees this as a second chance in his career. The pressure on him is likely to be reduced due to his recent struggles and subsequent recall. Manjrekar expressed his thoughts on Star Sports, stating, “In terms of thinking, there will be slightly less pressure on him because he was almost dropped, and he has got one more opportunity. He will feel slightly relaxed as though he got a post-retirement scheme.”
Manjrekar further clarified that he does not have high expectations from Rahane and believes that the main players for India’s success in the WTC Final will be Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli. He explained, “Ajinkya Rahane’s form will start from his form in his last international Test match. I have also played first-class cricket after getting dropped. You score runs but don’t get that much confidence.”
With the WTC Final set to take place from June 7th to June 11th at The Oval in England, both teams have begun their preparations in earnest. The cricketing world eagerly awaits to see which team will emerge victorious and lift the prestigious trophy on June 11th.