Ajinkya Rahane questions team management after loss against SA, says players seemed confused because communication was lacking

India’s veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has questioned the team management after 0-2 series loss against South Africa. The Proteas hammered the Indian team by a gigantic margin of 408 runs in the second Test match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Wednesday. 

Rahane highlighted that players seemed confused because communication was lacking from the team’s think tank. There has been a lot of chop and change in India’s batting order and players are also not given a long run. While Sai Sudharsan batted at number three in the second Test, Washington Sundar took the one drop position in the opening game.

Rahane said Nitish Kumar Reddy could have batted at number four in the second innings of the second innings, instead of nightwatchman, Kuldeep Yadav. Reddy was dismissed for a blob while attempting to play a reverse sweep.

“The players seemed confused because the communication was lacking. We played with nine batters in the second Test. When Kuldeep came to bat at four as a nightwatchman, if you have nine batters, it is important to send batters itself. Nitish Reddy came in at number nine, I feel his contribution could have been better at four or five. You need to take a positive approach rather than looking to protect your batters if you have the depth,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

The former Indian vice-captain said a set batting order is needed to succeed in Test cricket.

“There was confusion in the combination. I have told this before as well that your batting order being set is very important. The top four-five batters should play in the same position, which will give them confidence and role clarity. If you bat at every number, the situations are different and need different skill sets. You top four-five batters should be fixed and should be given that rope, only then can they deliver,” he added.

India will next take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series.