SA vs IND 2022: Ajinkya Rahane has played some useful knocks, needs to convert starts, says Vikram Rathour

India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour has once again put his weight behind under-fire Ajinkya Rahane.

The right-hander was dismissed after scoring only nine runs in the first innings of the third Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Tuesday.

Rahane has been under the scanner for his inconsistent performances and many cricket experts feel that he should be dropped from the final XI as he hasn’t been to grab ample opportunities which have been given to him.

Rahane had scored a fine knock of 58 runs in the second innings of the second Test match at Wanderers and thus he was able to keep his place in the team for the third Test. The experienced batter though got a peach of a delivery from Kagiso Rabada, who was the pick of the South African bowlers on the opening day.

Rathour reckons Rahane needs to convert his starts into substantial scores and he is looking good in the nets.

“No specific numbers are being discussed (about Rahane). He is trying his best and he looks really good in the nets. He has played some useful knocks in this series as well,” Rathour told reporters after the day’s play on Tuesday.

“He needs to convert one of his starts into a big one and that is what he is trying for. We are hoping as management that he comes good,” said Rathour.

Rathour added that the current team management will give one more opportunity than what a player deserves and they will think before taking the final call.

“I can assure you that this management would want to give one extra chance than one less so we will always think along those lines,” he said.

There is no doubt that Ajinkya Rahane should consider himself lucky to be still part of the team as his performances have been really inconsistent.

India could only post 223 runs in the first innings while South Africa was 17-1 at stumps on Day one.