Former India batter Wasim Jaffer feels Ajinkya Rahane should have captained Team India in Virat Kohli’s absence in the second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Kohli missed the game after he sustained a back spasm. KL Rahul, who had replaced Rahane as India’s Test vice-captain, stood in for the 33-year-old Kohli.
Rahane has helped Team India to four wins out of six games with two matches ending in draws. He led the Men in Blue in Australia post the nightmarish Adelaide Test match. Under the Mumbai batter, team India registered a historic win at the Gabba in Brisbane.
“I am surprised by the team management. When you have someone as good as Ajinkya Rahane available who has not lost any Test as a captain and won you a Test series in Australia, do you need to give the Test captaincy to KL Rahul?” Jaffer was quoted as saying to Insidesport.
“I have nothing against KL Rahul. He is young and has captained the Punjab Kings. People are thinking about him as a future captain. But I think Rahane should have led the side in Kohli’s absence,” he stated.
Jaffer also stated that India missed Kohli’s aggression at the bull ring.
“India definitely missed Virat Kohli, the captain, because he brings so much aggression to the field. When you have such a player on the field, you know you will be held accountable if you make a mistake. So, they missed that energy,” Jaffer added.
India lost the second Test to South Africa by seven wickets as Dean Elgar's men chased a record total of 240 on Day 5 in the final innings. Elgar led the run chase with an unbeaten 96-run knock. This was India’s first ever Test defeat at the Wanderers stadium.
Head coach Rahul Dravid said after the second Test that the skipper is recovering from the back spasm and is on track to play the series decider. Series is levelled 1-1. India has a golden opportunity to win their first Test series in South Africa.
