I’m not going to say who is going to play in the second Test: Ajinkya Rahane

India is all set to take on England in the second Test in Chennai, which starts on Saturday. After losing the first Test by a margin of 227 runs, the hosts are definitely under pressure. It all will come down boiling on them as a place in the ICC World Test Championship final is also at stake.

Ahead of the second Test, the vice-captain of the team, Ajinkya Rahane addressed the press via zoom where he was asked many questions. From team selection for the second Test to his personal form going into this Test was put in as questions from certain journalists, and Rahane answered all the questions with grace and style.

Talking about the Indian team selection for the second Test, the vice-captain revealed that Axar Patel is fit and also gave a hint that the Gujarat player might play in this Test. However, the 32-year-old didn’t reveal what will be the final XI of the team. India has hardly ever released their XI ahead of a Test match.

Good to have Axar Patel fit: Ajinkya Rahane

“Every player is in the mix. Good to have Axar Patel fit. I’m not going to say who is going to play in the second Test. All our spinners are good and I’m sure they’re keen to do well,” Rahane said during the virtual press conference. If Axar plays in the second Test, it will be his Test debut.

Having received his maiden Test call-up, Patel was looked as the like for like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, who was ruled out of the series. But, on the morning of the first Test, Axar was announced unfit to play. Shahbaz Nadeem, who was in the reserves, was drafted in the side for the first but returned with ordinary bowling figures.

Talking about his personal performance, Rahane gave a fantastic reply stating that it is a team sport and not about one individual. The vice-captain has not scored a fifty and has had a string of low scores since his hundred in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in late December 2020.

“We are playing at home after two years. It’s all about the team, not about any individual. If you look at my last 10-15 Tests, you will find some runs there,” Ajinkya Rahane said.