India’s stand-in skipper is facing heavy criticism for not being able to fulfill his potential in the middle-order despite being given a long rope by the team management. With scores of 35 and 4 in the drawn Kanpur Test, Rahane has not made a case for himself either. Despite a string of ordinary performances, head coach Rahul Dravid is not worried about the Mumbai batter’s form and said that changes will be made after discussion with Virat Kohli.
"I mean you don't get worried. Of course, you would like more runs from Ajinkya, he would like to score more runs,” Dravid backed the veteran.
"He is a quality player and he has done well for India in the past. He is one of those guys who has quality and experience and it's matter of a game when he would like to turn it around and he knows that and we know that," the former Indian skipper explained.
What happens when Kohli comes back
With Kohli coming back into the side for next Test, Indian team management will have a headache while selecting the playing eleven. Rahane has average less than 20 in this calendar year whereas Cheteshwar Pujara has not been impressive either. Debutant Shreyas Iyer’s outstanding performance in Kanpur only puts their spot in the team in jeopardy.
"Look, we haven't decided what will be our playing XI and it's too early. At least, today our focus was on this game and when we go to Mumbai, we will assess the conditions and check people's fitness. Virat Kohli will join us so we have to discuss with him also and then take a decision," the 48-year-old said.
Iyer, a product of the system
Dravid lauded Iyer for his ‘Man of the match’ performance. He also credited the system that produced a player who could live upto the international standards right from the word go.
"It's great to see the young guys come through perform straightaway on debut and we saw that with one or two of the players in T20 as well and they made a good account of themselves," the coach said.
"A young kid doing well in 1st Test for India and it's not only a good reflection of that person (player) but also a good reflection of the system. Fact that we have been able to develop not just India A but also he has played for Mumbai, in club cricket," the Karnataka-born cricketer said while crediting the system.
However, Dravid admitted that Iyer would not even be a part of the XI had KL Rahul not been ruled out of the Test series due to injury.
"Shreyas had to work very had and had to earn it. It wasn't easy for him. Of course, he averages over 50 in first-class cricket but he hadn't played first-class cricket played for 3 years.
"He wouldn't have made the level if we haven't had injuries and he has taken it (opportunity) with both hands and shown his qualities," he stated.
