IND vs NZ: Cheteshwar Pujara backs Ajinkya Rahane to overcome lean patch

India has done considerably well in Test cricket over the last couple of years. The team has won matches in Australia and England. Over the years, India's strength was their batting. However, in the last few years, their bowling has led them to wins. The batting, on the other hand, has struggled for consistency. Virat Kohli hasn't scored a lot of runs, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are also under fire due to their poor show. The upcoming series against New Zealand might be the final opportunity for Pujara and Rahane to hold on to their spots in the Indian team.

In the absence of Kohli, Rahane will lead the side, while Pujara will be his deputy for the 1st Test. Ahead of the match, Cheteshwar Pujara has backed Ajinkya Rahane to come good in the series. Barring a hundred in Melbourne earlier this year, Rahane does not have much to show. He averaged a mere 18.67 against England in India's most recent series.

“Rahane is a great player. There will be ups and downs in any players’ career. He has been working hard in the nets and we are hoping he’ll score big runs in this series,” Pujara told reporters in a virtual press meet ahead of the Test series opener against New Zealand.

While Pujara too is enduring a lean patch, his performance has been far better than Rahane. Pujara scored 227 runs at an average of 32 in the England series, including two half-centuries. One noticeable change in Pujara's batting during the England series was his approach to the game. Often being criticized for going into the shell, Pujara was very positive in England. The batter revealed that he will look to play positive cricket in the upcoming series as well.

“My mindset was a lot more different in the England Test series, I was a lot more fearless,” Pujara said. “There was not much change in technique. So far preparations for the New Zealand series has been good and I’ll look to carry that same fearless mindset against the Kiwis as well.”

“Although I didn’t play any match, I was part of an IPL team (Chennai Super Kings). I went to practice with CSK and trained with them regularly. We also had a five-day camp in Mumbai to prepare for the NZ series which has been really good,”