IND vs NZ Test Series: Aakash Chopra says “There are a lot of people breathing under his neck”

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Ajinkya Rahane’s career will be saved if he can win the Test series against New Zealand at home. If Rahane fails again, Chopra pointed out that India has a plethora of youthful middle-order options waiting in the wings.

Rahane, 33, will captain India against New Zealand in the first Test. However, he has had a bad year with the bat, with his average dropping below 40.

“It is extremely important. There are a lot of people who are breathing under his neck. The series is significant because he may be the captain in the first Test, but he is under pressure without doubt. If the last Test in England had taken place at Old Trafford, God knows if he would have been there in the playing XI or not, after what happened at The Oval.” Chopra agreed

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill, according to Chopra, will be in even more difficulty if they have a terrific series against New Zealand.

“He is the captain for the first Test but Virat Kohli will be back for the second. Remember, when India go to South Africa, Rohit Sharma will be back. For the New Zealand series, India have picked Mayank, Shreyas, Shubman. Whoever gets the opportunity, if he scores a lot of runs, Rahane’s place will come under the scanner. There is Hanuma Vihari as well, who has not been picked for the New Zealand Tests.” he added

Due to Kohli’s absence, Rahane will captain India in the first Test against New Zealand, which begins on November 25 in Kanpur.

Rahane is fortunate, according to former India opener Gautam Gambhir, to have been given another chance to rescue his Test career during the home series against New Zealand.

“I am going to open with Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul because he opened in England and then probably Shubman Gill will bat at No. 4. Plus, Rahane is pretty fortunate that he’s still part of this side because he’s leading. But again, he’s got another opportunity now, hopefully, he can make that count.” Gambhir said

In England, Rahane had a bad series. In four Tests, he scored 109 runs at an average of 15.57.

Read more: IND vs NZ Tests: Cheteshwar Pujara says “Hoping that he will score big runs” in supporting Ajinkya Rahane

Visit also: Andrew Gaggin is unimpressed with Cricket Australia’s treatment of former Test captain Tim Paine

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