Rahane’s poor home run a worry

NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane’s recent form in Tests has been underwhelming, raising concerns with the South Africa tour up next. Rahane has failed to reach double figures in the Sri Lanka series so far while all other batsmen, led by Virat Kohli, have got at least one good score.

Since his 188 against New Zealand at Indore in October 2016, the Test vice-captain hasn’t scored a hundred at home. There have been a few handy knocks though. Like the 82 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad, 52 against Australia on a tough Bangalore track and the 46 in Dharamsala — where he led India to a series victory in Kohli’s absence.

But the big scores haven’t come. His Test average of 36.26 in 2017 is his worst in a calendar year since debut. More often than not, Rahane has fallen to spin — rare for an Indian batsman. Against Sri Lanka, he has got out to spinners twice.

Compared to his average of 53.44 in 24 away Tests, Rahane’s home average of 34.44 is underwhelming. With India to play almost entirely away from home next year, the team would want its top batsman for alien conditions to be in form. It is not clear whether Rahane is low on confidence. He scored four half-centuries in the ODI series against Australia in September-october in Shikhar Dhawan’s absence, but could not retain the spot.

India’s assistant coach Sanjay Bangar, however, has backed Rahane. “He would be disappointed by the manner in which he got out. He’s somebody who works very hard on his game like all players do. Last match and this match, maybe his shot selection wasn’t right. That would be hurting him. But he’s a quality player,” Bangar said after close of play on Saturday.

With Murali Vijay and Kohli piling the runs at will and Wriddhiman Saha and R Ashwin yet to bat, India look unlikely to bat again. For Rahane, that would mean a challenge to stay upbeat as he would be going to South Africa without getting another opportunity to bat.