WI vs IND: Ajinkya Rahane’s place isn’t cemented despite being named as vice-captain, says Aakash Chopra

By India Today Sports Desk: Aakash Chopra feels that Ajinkya Rahane’s place in the team isn’t cemented despite him being given the vice-captaincy role for the West Indies series.

Rahane, who had found himself out of the Test side for close to 17 months, enjoyed a brilliant domestic season and won the IPL 2023 title with Chennai Super Kings. This paved the way for the batter to be a part of the squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia at the Oval last month.

West Indies vs India, 1st Test: Preview | Weather report

Despite the loss in the final, Rahane was India’s best batter in the game against Australia as he scored 89 and 46. While he was expected to be a part of the West Indies tour, many were caught off-guard when the 34-year-old was handed back the role of vice-captain.

This was a responsibility that Rahane had handled in the past.

Chopra while talking on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Sportskeeda, said that despite being given the vice-captaincy role, Rahane’s place in the side isn’t cemented.

The former cricketer said that the 34-year-old will have to score runs during the series, otherwise, the vice-captaincy tag will not be of any use.

“Ajinkya Rahane – it is an intriguing story. He was out of the team for 18 months and suddenly you do well in the World Test Championship final and you become the vice-captain of the side. But does that mean his place is secured?”

“No, he was the vice-captain once earlier as well when Kohli was the captain. It was in South Africa and he was dropped in the first Test. So I don’t think his place is cemented. I feel he will have to score runs. He will be able to save his place if he scores runs or else the vice-captaincy tag will not be of much use.”