'You Probably Have To Speak To Selectors': Virat Kohli On Rahane & Pujara's Future

Questions are being raised on senior batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane post behind India's series loss in the rainbow nation.

Cheteshwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane, Pic Courtesy: AFP via Getty Images

New Delhi: The Indian cricket team has to wait for another three to four years to win their first-ever Test series in South Africa after ending the recently concluded three-match series 2-1 against Proteas.

A high on confidence Virat Kohli-led India failed to defend 212 runs in the series decider at Cape Town. After losing the first Test in Centurion, Dean Elgar-led side made a strong comeback in the second Test and did not lose momentum to continue their winning streak, sealing series 2-1.

Questions are being raised on senior batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane post behind India's series loss in the rainbow nation as the duo not only failed to perform in the Ind vs SA series but have been out of form since quite some time now.

Kohli about Pujara-Rahane 👇. No clear indication about the future though.pic.twitter.com/O6QyJ43gct

— Ryan (@ryandesa_07) January 14, 2022

During the post-match presser, when skipper Virat Kohli was asked about Pujara and Rahane's future in the team, he said that the selectors will take a call on the senior batsmen.

“Obviously, the batting has let us down in the last two games when we needed to step up. There is no running away from that. (On Pujara, Rahane) I cannot sit here and talk about what’s going to happen in the future. You’ll probably have to speak to the selectors about what they have in mind because this is not my job," he said.

“As I said before and I will say again, we will continue to back Cheteshwar and Ajinkya because of the kind of players they are, what they have done in Test cricket for India over the years, playing crucial knocks. In the second Test as well, you saw that important partnership in the second innings, which got us to a total that we could fight for. What the selectors have in mind, I cannot comment on that sitting here.”