Vikram Rathour feels Ajinkya Rahane’s form could be critical to Test series in South Africa | Cricket News – Times of India

India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour feels Ajinkya Rahane’s composed approach has been the defining characteristic of his Test comeback, and with the Indian team scheduled to tour South Africa later this year, Rathour emphasized the importance of Rahane maintaining his current form.
In the recent World Test Championship final against Australia in London, Rahane’s scores of 89 and 46 were perhaps the only bright spots for the Indian team in an otherwise disappointing outcome.
After an 18-month hiatus from Test cricket, Rahane made a strong comeback and was subsequently appointed as the vice-captain for the ongoing tour of the West Indies.Unfortunately, Rahane could score only three runs in India’s only innings of the first Test, which the visitors won by an innings and 141 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
He will, thus, be eager to rectify that in the second match, scheduled to begin in Port of Spain on July 20.
Rathour highlighted the notable aspects of Rahane’s comeback and what has impressed him the most about the player’s performance.
“He played really well in the WTC final. He has always been a good player. He was dropped because of bad form. When it comes to technique, you constantly work on that but what stood out for for me that he was much more calm in his approach.

“He was playing late and close to the body. That has been the standout thing since his comeback. He is still batting the same way in the nets. We hope he will do well. (Considering the) Conditions in South Africa, you will need somebody like him to come good,” said Rathour.
India’s next Test series will be in South Africa in December-January.
Jaiswal can play for India for 10 years
Rathour was full of admiration for Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable century on debut in Test cricket. Jaiswal’s outstanding innings of 171 played a pivotal role in India’s resounding win.

“I’ve been a selector before, so whenever you pick a player you should pick him with the intent that he will play for India for the next 10 years. He definitely has the potential.
“For me the most important thing, though I haven’t worked with Yashasvi before, was that I had seen him scoring runs at the IPL. You saw how dynamic a batter he is, the kind of stroke-player he is. But he managed to change the game according to the situation of the team.
“On the second day, he scored some 20 runs off 90 balls before Lunch. I think that for me was the highlight of the innings. Somebody who is able to do that, who can play against his character, his normal game, get through that phase and then score big runs, it was phenomenal to watch,” Rathour said.

With Jaiswal asked to open, Shubman Gill had to bat at No. 3, which didn’t prove fruitful for him. Rathour, however, reassured that Gill will have ample opportunity to showcase his abilities in his revised batting position.
“He has a lot of potential, and he has reached that potential as well in other formats. He has also made runs in Test cricket. Sometimes it might take a bit of time in a particular format, and he is taking that time, but he has that time.
“He is taking some time but the good thing is that there is no dearth of hardwork, he is working out on things. And along with potential he also has the temperament, which makes one a big player. Again, there’s no doubt that he’ll play all three formats for a long time,” said Rathour.

(With agency inputs)