WI vs IND 2023: Ajinkya Rahane did not make this series count, says Dinesh Karthik

India’s veteran wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik has said that Ajinkya Rahane could not make the two-match Test series against the West Indies count. Rahane was backed in the Test squad after returning with scores of 89 and 46 in the World Test Championship final against Australia, which India lost by 209 runs.

In fact, Rahane also returned to the vice-captaincy role but he could not grab his chances. The veteran batter could only score 11 runs in the two innings against the Windies and thus could not deliver the goods.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill also could not grab his chance while batting at number three. Gill scored 45 runs in three innings at an average of 22.50 against the West Indies.

“The players probably did not get going. The two batters – Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill. Rahane obviously had a very ordinary series. He had really got the WTC final, hence was picked and also named as vice-captain for this series. He got two opportunities with the bat and on both occasions, he was found wanting,” said Karthik on Cricbuzz.

Karthik went on to add that Rahane hasn’t been consistent enough and thus he lost his place in the Test team in 2022. Rahane will be gutted to miss out in the two-match Test series against the depleted West Indies’ side.

“The thing with Rahane over a period of time has been that critical word, consistency. That’s why he had lost his place in the side. He would know, he did not make the series count. He is the kind of player, you think, should be on that flight to South Africa because, on those big moments, you get the feeling that he will make it count,” Karthik added.

Meanwhile, India won the opening Test match against the Windies by an innings and 141 runs. But the second Test match ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport on the final day.

The first ODI between India and West Indies will be played at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday.