Why dropping Ajinkya Rahane for the T20 series makes sense

#5 Strike rotation

Lack of singles has been a problem for Ajinkya Rahane

Let’s take a look at two of his innings.

One: 5th ODI against Australia. He started the innings at a strike rate of more than a run-a-ball, but by the time he got out, his strike rate had fallen to 82.43.

Two: 188 against New Zealand in Indore. He hit more boundaries (18 fours, 4 sixes, 96 runs) than Virat Kohli (20 fours, 80 runs) who scored 211 but Rahane's strike rate (49.34) was lower than the skipper's (57.65).

The prime reason for this is his inability to pick up singles at will. Like most by-the-book players, he just isn’t able to tap the ball and run. Whilst he has the temperament and the technique to cope with this in the longest format of the game, this method builds pressure in the limited overs format and brings about a false big shot. There is always an opportunity to nurture your skills in any field, and if Rahane can develop the art of picking up singles, he’ll be an even more effective batsman than he is today.

Rahane is a fighter. Dropped after playing just one Test, he got his name on the Lord's board within the next 12 months. He is the best Test batsman in the country. He has shown he has the technique and temperament to tackle any bowling attack on any kind of pitche in any environment.

He’s the only Indian batsman in the current setup to have accumulated runs all over the world and I have no doubt that he’ll make a comeback to the Indian T20 side as a better batsman. But for now, he has to make way for players better suited to the format.