India survived a scare before pulling off an incredible one-run victory over their neighbours in a low-scoring thriller in the 2016 World T20 last night. This win meant the next game against Australia at Mohali on March 27 is a virtual quarter-final and MS Dhoni cannot allow any slip-up if India is to qualify for the semi-finals.
Although India start as favorites against Australia, Dhoni will have some tough selection calls to make. There is every chance that India might not take the big risk of changing the winning combination.
The Indian management has shown immense faith in Shikhar Dhawan. The southpaw can make runs from time to time but picking him up ahead of Ajinkya Rahane in spite of his poor form makes little sense now.
Rahane has always seemed a cut above him in the shorter format of the game. He gives India the stability in the top-order that they are lacking.
It’s time to pick Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane is that sort of a guy any team would love to have. Talented, hard-working, soft-spoken and down to earth. It's a pity that a player of his calibre does not feature in the playing eleven.
Why not give chances to Rahane similar to what Dhawan has been given in the past few months?
If Rahane is given half the number of chances as the southpaw, he certainly has the capacity to deliver. There isn't much between the stats of Rahane and the men he loses out to either.
While there is no doubting Dhawan’s talent, his pedigree in recent times has put him under the crossfire. The Delhi opener has only two 50+ scores in his last 10 innings and in the ongoing World T20, everyone seems to have his number on a speed dial.
So while Dhoni has persisted with Dhawan, the repeated shuffling with Rahane's position in the team is bound to affect the Mumbaikar's confidence. His stats are almost same as Dhawan in T20s (both in international cricket and IPL).
If there is anything that gives Dhawan the edge is the left and right combination he brings at the top. Rohit is doing wonders and is one of our permanent openers.
So, what is Rahane missing out for? The stats? Or MS Dhoni’s settled combination?
This is a gamble but a gamble with little to lose
Last year against Australia at the 2015 World Cup, he was the only one alongside Dhoni who showed fight and grit in the unsuccessful run chase. It's true that Dhawan delivers when it matters the most but can we afford to take the risk again on March 27?
The negatives right now seem to be too much stacked up against the left-hander. It's time to pick Rahane in the must-win game against Australia. He can hit either when Coulter-Nile comes to bowl the very first over or the old one when Adam Zampa will be bowling.
While he is pleased to contribute to the team by carrying drinks, let us not make him another Robin Uthappa. He has the right temperament to play Faulkner and let's not forget his fielding.
Like Dravid, he can pace his innings as required and is has the technique against both spin and fast bowling. Rahane was afforded the chance to play the entire series against Sri Lanka after Virat Kohli was rested and also was in the eleven against Pakistan in the 2016 Asia Cup.
He himself, however, hasn't really been that great with a case of 51 runs from four games. The former Rajasthan Royals talisman has a few of weaknesses - a prime one being getting out cheaply after putting in the hard work.
On the plus side. he has the perfect mix of patience and aggression which helps him to pace his innings really well. In addition to that, he is a brilliant fielder not only int the outfield, but also in the slips.
It's not an easy job to open the innings and play according to the situation. But he is a timer of the ball therefore, he should be up the order.
He should not be pushed down the order because he doesn't have the power to clear the boundaries like Dhoni. Let's not curb his natural abilities and force him to try different things affecting his performance.
But the big question that still remain is “How long does he need to wait for his turn”?
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