Star Test batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane find themselves excluded from the Indian Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa. Despite Rahane’s past captaincy success and Pujara’s historic contributions, recent dips in form and limited opportunities led to their omission.
Legendary pacer Zaheer Khan views this as a temporary setback, urging the players to stay motivated and prepared for future chances. Emphasizing the unpredictability of cricket, Khan advises focusing on enjoying the game, exploring different avenues like first-class cricket or county matches, and remaining prepared for unexpected opportunities.
Pujara, with 103 Tests and 7195 runs at an average of 43.61, and Rahane, with 85 Tests and over 5000 runs at an average of 38.46, face a challenging period. India’s pursuit of a maiden Test series win in South Africa is further complicated by injuries to Mohammed Shami, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan opting-out, with KS Bharat and Abhimanyu Easwaran named as replacements.
Despite Rahane’s leadership prowess, the emergence of new talents and consistent performances by senior players contribute to his recent exclusion. Pujara’s dip in form since 2021 prompts selectors to explore younger alternatives. While not considered for immediate replacements, the door remains open for their potential return, given their historical reliability in crucial situations.
As India faces South Africa in the first Test on December 26, the absence of Rahane and Pujara marks a significant shift, raising questions about the future trajectory of these seasoned Test batsmen.
