SA v IND: Ajinkya Rahane not KL Rahul should have led India in Virat Kohli's absence in 2nd Test, says Jaffer
India tour of South Africa: Former India opener Wasim Jaffer said India missed captain Virat Kohli's energy during their 7-wicket defeat to South Africa in the 2nd Test in Johannesburg earlier this week.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has questioned India's decision to replace skipper Virat Kohli with KL Rahul despite the presence of former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane in the second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
India lost the second Test to South Africa by 7 wickets as Dean Elgar's men chased down a record total of 240 on Day 5 in the final innings. India's bowling unit, which is known to beat the opposition in tough conditions, looked flat as Elgar chased down South Africa with an unbeaten 96.
Virat Kohli missed the second Test due to a back spasm and newly-appointed vice-captain KL Rahul took over as the stand-in captain. While Rahul led from the front with a half-century in the first innings, his captaincy, especially in the fourth innings, came under question as South Africa managed to score independently.
Ajinkya Rahane, who led India to a memorable Test series win in Australia last year in Kohli's absence, was sacked as vice-captain due to poor form ahead of the South Africa tour. However, the senior batsman managed to retain his place in the team. Despite being dismissed for a golden duck in the first innings of the second Test, he scored 58 in the second innings to set India a target of 240 in Johannesburg.
"I am surprised by the team management," Jaffer was quoted as saying by InsideSport.
"When you have someone like Ajinkya Rahane available, who hasn't lost a Test as captain and you have won a Test series in Australia, do you need to give KL Rahul the Test captaincy?
Jaffer said, "I have nothing against KL Rahul. He is young and he has captained Punjab Kings. People are thinking of him as the captain of the future. But I think Rahane should be replaced by Kohli. Should have led the team in his absence."
'India lost Kohli's energy'
Meanwhile, Jaffer also said that India missed Virat Kohli's energy in the second Test, highlighting that the captain's aggression works in favor of the touring team.
"India definitely miss captain Virat Kohli, because he brings so much aggression on the field. When you have a player like that on the field, you know you will be held accountable if you make a mistake. So, They lost that energy," he added.
Elgar's heroics saw South Africa level the series 1-1 and they will be even more excited when the two sides face off in the third Test in Cape Town starting January 11.
Virat Kohli is likely to return for the third Test as head coach Rahul Dravid said after the second Test that the captain is recovering from a back spasm and is on track to play the series finale. live TV
