Some people are more equal than others. That’s the way sport, and sometimes life, is. Some get all the opportunities in the world while others have to justify the handful that they receive. Just take the example of India batsman Ajinkya Rahane.
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Last season, he was the toast of the nation. His smooth technique and attacking style provided immense solidity to a young Indian batting line-up that seems to have moved effortlessly past the retirements of stalwarts like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly.
His stylish batting and ability to score at a brisk pace saw him score runs with ease outside India. Even though he has played just 15 Tests, he has some impressive numbers. In four Tests in Australia, he scored 399 runs at an average of 57, in two Tests in New Zealand he has 162 runs at 54 and in South Africa, 209 runs from two Tests at an average of almost 70.
In ODIs, he has done fairly well, scoring two tons and nine fifties in 54 matches. They are not great limited overs numbers but aren’t poor either as half of those games were played outside the subcontinent.
Ajinkya Rahane’s super effort #RRvsSRH #IPL @rajasthanroyals (Vine by @IPL) https://t.co/5uVlocjbUm
— Dipesh Shah (@D1PZ) May 7, 2015
Rahane had a decent World Cup Down Under this year, with scores of 0, 79, 14, 33*, 19, 19 and 44. Nothing flash but not terrible. In fact his scores of 79 and 44 came against South Africa and Australia respectively, which shows that he has it in him to take on the best.
When India began their recently concluded tour of Bangladesh, Rahane looked set to continue his good form. And in the one-off Test, he showed that he could adjust to any conditions as he hit a superb 98 off just 103 balls. He got out trying to slog, as India were looking for quick runs before declaring, and it was clear Rahane didn’t have a Test century in mind but only runs for the team. It’s in situations like these that a player earns the respect of the dressing room and the confidence of the captain.
But sadly for Rahane, Virat Kohli was the captain in the Test. In the one-day series that followed, the team was led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and he saw Rahane in a different light. After the team succumbed to a comprehensive 79-run defeat, the team management got into huddle and decided to make three changes to the side for the second match and go after the Bangladeshis with renewed effort.
Rahane made captain for zim series.. Interesting given the fact he couldn’t get into the main team against Bangladesh.. #indvzim
— Abhijeet Dash (@AbhijeetDash9) June 29, 2015
One of those three changes turned out to be Rahane. Dhoni’s logic for it was an interesting read. According to him, Rahane struggles on slower pitches and takes time to get settled. All this was concluded after one batting failure.
It’s amazing how players around the world get stuck with a certain image. Rohit Sharma started his career in 2007 and for the first three years, averaged 25 (in 39 ODIs). Still, the management stuck with him as he was seen as an exceptional talent.
It was only in 2010 he started to churn out the runs and now has two ODI double tons under his belt. And he got his Test debut in 2013, a good six years after his ODI debut. That’s how patient the Indian team was with Rohit. But no such luck for Rahane.
Other teams have also displayed such a propensity. Sri Lanka seem enamoured by left-handed batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and he continues to get chances at the top level. But in 17 Tests, he averages a paltry 26 and in 94 ODIs, 33. Not good for someone seen as a future captain.
Yet another failure for Thirimanne: His last 18 scores in Tests – 2*, 0, 13*, 2, 2, 0, 0, 38,12, 20, 10, 24, 25, 0, 62*, 8, 44, 7 #SLvPAK
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 26, 2015
At the other end of the spectrum you have players like Ben Stokes. It was expected that one of the few bright spots in England’s disastrous Ashes tour Down Under in 2013-14 (he scored 279 runs and took 15 wickets from four Tests) would be a part of the ODI team for this year’s World Cup as knowledge of conditions is a crucial factor.
However, he was axed from the ODI side following a few poor outings against India and in Sri Lanka and didn’t play in the World Cup. A few months down the line, we are seeing Andrew Flintoff say Stokes is more talented than him and should go on to become an England great. That’s the sentiment in the England camp after his man of the match effort against New Zealand in the Lord’s Test where he scored 92 and 101 and picked up three wickets.
Kumar Sangakkara: “I think the best thing about @benstokes38 is that he’s without fear.” http://t.co/bkiexGgTjz pic.twitter.com/WrOF7xD07N
— AllOutCricket (@AllOutCricket) June 24, 2015
But the fact remains it hadn’t taken the England management long to drop him not too long ago. Maybe some of these players are not in the good books of the ‘right’ people or are so engrossed in their own work that it’s easy for them to get lost in a team. They can only hope for consistency in every opportunity they get. Because unlike a few privileged others, they can’t afford any slip ups.
