'Sarfaraz to Padoka tal raha tha FC me 2 saal se'- Fans rip apart Ravi Shastri for backing selectors decision to include Ajinkya Rahane in India's squad for WTC Final

Ajinkya Rahane lost his place in the Indian Test team last year. However, he didn’t get disappointed and went back to domestic cricket to grind his way out. He led the Mumbai team in the 2022 season and finished as their highest run-getter. The former Indian Test captain scored 634 runs in 7 matches, including a double century against Hyderabad. In the ongoing IPL 2023, Rahane is plying his trade for Chennai Super Kings and has looked a completely different batsman.

Rahane is batting with a different intent and has helped CSK put themselves in a strong position. A night before the BCCI announced the Indian squad for the World Test Championship, Rahane impressed with a 29-ball 71 and was also handed the Player-of-the-match award in the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Indian former head coach Ravi Shastri was full of praise for Rahane and also highlighted the fact that Rahane’s inclusion in the WTC squad wasn't just because of his batting heroics for CSK in the cash-rich league.

“I am so glad he's made it to the side. He batted beautifully in these two-three games he's played in the IPL, has looked in great touch. And let's not forget the experience he has. The moment Shreyas Iyer was injured, you had to look in that direction," Shastri told ESPNCricinfo in a recent interview.

"People think he's just played three IPL games and that's why he's in the side. They must have been on holiday for six months when he was playing first-class cricket. They must've been somewhere in the jungle where there's no contact with anyone in the world. When you go six months into a holiday, you miss those 600 runs,” the former Indian cricket team coach explained.

In 6 matches for CSK, Ajinkya Rahane has managed to score 224 runs at an outstanding average and strike rate of 44.80 and 189.83. Despite that, a lot of fans weren’t happy with Rahane’s inclusion and wanted Sarfaraz Khan in the team, instead.

Here’s a look at some of the reactions:

And same ipl kids want a new kid who has never played for India to play in wtc final match and not ajinkya. Jinx has lots of experience+ he has done good in domestic+ he is showing good form in IPL too. Taking jinx for a final match is better than a player who will debut in wtc…

— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) April 29, 2023

Sastri ji ko batao… debut nhi kar raha wo

5 saal hagg ke gea hai already

+ FC mai parag bhi century mar gya… akela rahane ne run nhi mare.

— Ishaan Meet (@ishaanmeet) April 29, 2023

Then by that logic Sarfaraz should be picked

— Viraj (@vjv02) April 29, 2023

Rahane only perform against northeast weak team ranji
Mumbai lobby

— Royals Cricket 🇮🇳 (@ImHimanshu_Raj) April 29, 2023

Rahane scored one 50 in 8 innings against TN, Saurashtra, Maharashtra & Delhi. A 214 & 191 against Hyderabad & Assam bowling lineups, that's how he averaged 58 in Ranjis even though he averaged below 30 against 4 good teams. So, it's really Mr. #Ravi_Shastri who was on a holiday

— Sri (@sri_opines) April 29, 2023

Rahane's year wise test average:

2017: 34.62
2018: 30.66
2020: 38.85
2021: 20.82
2022: 17.00

Rahane's avg in England: 26.03

Rahane's scores at Oval in tests: 0, 4, 0, 37, 14, 0. Avg at Oval: 9.17

— Royals Cricket 🇮🇳 (@ImHimanshu_Raj) April 29, 2023

Had those performances were counted he would have been in reckoning much before IPL...Also pls check domestic season stats there are many young players who have fared better performance than him..

— AKDhillon (@kauraverjit) April 29, 2023

In my view,Sarfaraz is ahead of anybody to play Test for India

— Gaurav Tandon🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@GauravT232014) April 29, 2023

Sarfaraz was performing well from last two seasons in ranji
I think Ravi shastri was on High during that time

— Reddeath (@imkeerthi98) April 29, 2023

Haan sarfaraz tou pakoda tal Raha tha FC mein do saal se.

— KhoyaKhoyaHoon (@KhoyaHoon) April 29, 2023

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