In the wake of an intense display by South African pacers wreaking havoc on India’s batting lineup during the 1st Test, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed regret over the absence of Ajinkya Rahane, suggesting that the match’s outcome could have been altered.
Rahane, omitted from the squad early in 2022 due to a string of poor performances, notably made a comeback in 2023 for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite contributing to the WTC final with a resilient fifty, Rahane faced another omission for the South Africa tour.
As Kagiso Rabada led the South African pace attack with a five-wicket haul, Gavaskar, while on air, reminisced about Rahane’s impactful performance in the Johannesburg Test of the 2018/19 series. Rahane, despite being excluded from the initial matches, had scored a crucial 48 on a challenging track, securing a 63-run win for India.
Gavaskar emphasized Rahane’s overseas experience, stating that his presence in the current Test could have altered the narrative. He commented, “Maybe if he had been there today, the story could have been completely different.”
India struggled against the formidable South African pacers, with Rabada’s fifer and debutant Nandre Burger making early breakthroughs. However, India managed to cross the 200-run mark in the final session on Day 1, primarily due to KL Rahul’s impressive half-century.
