INDIA: Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni played a key role in the selection of Ajinkya Rahane in the Indian squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, according to a report.
Rahane’s recent performances for the Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) caught the attention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who sought inputs from his captain at CSK, MS Dhoni, for his selection in the Indian team. The report states that Dhoni’s recommendation played a crucial role in the selection of Rahane for the WTC final.
Ajinkya Rahane, who had been struggling for form recently, has been a revelation this season in the IPL, scoring 224 runs at an average of 44.80 and a strike rate of 189.83 from six games. He has also been named in India’s 15-member squad for the WTC final, which is set to take place at the Oval in London from June 7.
Rahane’s inclusion in the Indian team is significant, especially with middle-order mainstays Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant ruled out of action due to injuries. His experience and ability to bat under pressure could prove crucial in India’s quest for glory in the WTC final.
Apart from Rahane, fast bowler Shardul Thakur has also made a comeback into the Indian Test side after missing out on a spot in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India’s 15-member squad for the WTC final includes Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and Jaydev Unadkat.
In conclusion, MS Dhoni’s input for the selection of Ajinkya Rahane in the Indian team for the WTC final shows the importance of experience and expertise in decision-making in cricket. It also highlights the role of IPL performances in shaping national team selection.
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