India's batting legend from the 80s, Sunil Gavaskar has raised some questions on the way Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been batting since the past few Test matches and even suggested that both of them could be dropped if the form continues.
Both these middle-order players have been India's backbone for quite some time, but their recent form has been a cause of concern.
Let's look at Rahane's score in the last few Test Innings: 1, 5, 49, 15, 27, 7, 67, 10, 1, 0.
Let's look at Pujara's score in the last few Test Innings: 9, 4, 12, 8, 15, 17, 0, 21, 7.
These are disappointing numbers for the two middle-order Indian batsmen and they would be looking to improve their performances going ahead, else, there are many batsmen in waiting who could replace the duo.
What did Gavaskar Say?
“They (Rahane and Pujara) are low-profile cricketers. They are not going to rip their shirt off and create a scene (if they are dropped),” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network.
“Just let Ajinkya Rahane play. Yes, if he does not score runs here there is cause for concern but that cause for concern has to be regarding his technical abilities, with Pujara as well," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar also pointed out some issues with the support staff not doing enough.
"The way he has got out in Australia playing down the wrong, being beaten by the outswinger nothing has changed as far as that is concerned. So what is happening? Who is the one to take care of it? Not just with Pujara. There’s a staff there. If you are getting out in the same manner, then there is something wrong not just with your technique but also the guys who are supposed to help you,” Gavaskar added.