Hope Rahane will bounce back into form, says Rathour

Rahane, who scored 14 and got a duck in the two innings of the Oval Test, has managed only 109 runs in seven innings of the Pataudi Trophy, averaging just 15.57.

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has been struggling for form but batting coach Vikram Rathour believes it’s not a matter of concern for Team India. Rahane, who scored 14 and got a duck in the two innings of the Oval Test, has managed only 109 runs in seven innings of the Pataudi Trophy, averaging just 15.57.

However, Rathour feels this is not the right time to discuss the reasons for Rahane’s low scores. “I don’t think we are looking at technique at this stage at all. There is a time and place to work on technique.  So, if there are any issues, it can be addressed later when he [Rahane] has time.

“But at this point of time, all that is being discussed is game plan and how they will approach the innings, what they’re thinking when they are playing and looking to score runs. That’s it,” Rathour said during a virtual press conference on Sunday in reply to mid-day’s question about whether Rahane was facing a technical issue or a mental block.

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Batting coach Vikram Rathour

Prior to the Oval Test Rahane, 33, played 77 Tests, scoring 4,742 runs. Rathour, 52, insisted that Rahane has all the support and backing from team management just like they did for Cheteshwar Pujara. “When you are playing for such a long time, you will have phases where you will not get runs. That is the time, as a team, we need to back them and support them as much as we can. 

“As we saw with Pujara also. Now, he is getting more opportunities and has come back. He has played a couple of very important innings for us.  “We are hoping that Ajinkya too will get back into form and can still play a major role in the Indian team’s batting. So, I don’t think we have arrived at a stage where it should be a concern,” added Rathour.

Shastri & Co ‘ruled out’ for Manchester

India head coach Ravi Shastri, who tested positive for COVID-19 along with two members of the support staff, are ruled out fifth and final Test v England in Manchester this week. Shastri’s close contacts—Bharat Arun, R Sridhar and physio Nitin Patel—will be in isolation for 10 days, a BCCI source told PTI. 

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