KL Rahul’s promotion as vice-captain is likely to cast doubts on Ajinkya Rahane’s place in the Indian side, says Aakash Chopra

The Indian cricket side has been going through major sweeping changes in recent times. Following the appointment of new head coach Rahul Dravid as well as Rohit Sharma replacing Virat Kohli as captain, KL Rahul has been announced as the deputy to Kohli during the tour of South Africa.

Rohit Sharma, who had been initially announced as the Indian Test Vice-Captain will miss the Test series due to injury concerns. In his absence, many people felt that Ajinkya Rahane will be playing the role of deputy as he had been the Vice-Captain of the side even until last month.

However, in a surprising turn of events KL Rahul has been announced as the Vice-Captain in the absence of Rohit Sharma for the Test series against South Africa. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra thinks that it will become even more difficult for Ajinkya Rahane to retain his place in the Indian Test side.

“KL Rahul has been appointed as India’s Test vice-captain (for the South Africa series) as Rohit Sharma is injured. Rahul Dravid is the coach, Rohit is the captain of white-ball formats,” said Aakash Chopra in a video shared on Koo.

Rahane has been going through an extended lean patch over the last few years. The runs have dried up and his mentality has been questioned time and again. In his last 16 Tests, the senior batter has managed just two fifties and a century. He also has a low average of 24.39. In light of such low returns, his indisputable status in the Test side has been widely questioned.

Aakash Chopra also went on to argue that KL Rahul might also be appointed as the vice-captain in ODIs as well as things continue to get chopped and changed in Indian cricket at a rapid pace. “I think Rahul may be appointed vice-captain in ODIs also. Ajinkya Rahane might find it difficult to find a place in the XI. He was captain just a couple of Test matches ago but right now he’s not even the vice-captain. Things are changing in Indian cricket,” added Chopra.

Ajinkya Rahane led the team in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur which ended in a draw. Two weeks later, he will find it extremely difficult to get back to the Test team of India.