Azhar Ali/Asad Shafiq vs Cheteshwar Pujara/Ajinkya Rahane?

[Savak]

I wonder if the Indians have the same frustrations with Pujara/Rahane as we have with Azhar and Shafiq?

Players who were invested in very heavily by their respective cricket board for the last so many years but still bat like debutants, don't impose themselves on the opposition and let their teams down when so much is expected of them as senior players.

 

[Zaz]

I dont think you can bracket azhar in this category Hes the main established batsman in the team now with misbah and yk retiring

He has 14 test centuries n avges 45 and has centuries in england n aus

 

[Savak]

I dont think you can bracket azhar in this category Hes the main established batsman in the team now with misbah and yk retiring

He has 14 test centuries n avges 45 and has centuries in england n aus

But people at one point felt Pujara and Rahane were more naturally gifted and talented than him and more pleasing to the eye. I wonder how they compare records and statistics wise now?

 

[JaDed]

Frustrated with Rahul/Rahane more than Pujara.

 

[Savak]

Frustrated with Rahul/Rahane more than Pujara.

Pujara is over rated. Bats at a snails pace and then fails more often than not. Don't think any opposition will lose sleep over bowling to him.

 

[JaDed]

Pujara is over rated. Bats at a snails pace and then fails more often than not. Don't think any opposition will lose sleep over bowling to him.

Yes but when he performs whole team falters ,and not Everytime batsmen's job is to bring fear into the bowlers.

 

[the_outsider]

Pujara is over rated. Bats at a snails pace and then fails more often than not. Don't think any opposition will lose sleep over bowling to him.

Pujara's SR of 47 is the same as Cook's. It's more than Azhar's SR of 41.5.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pujara is India's Mahela Jayawardene. Walks into this team.

Rahane, dont know, what to make of him. He is soft, mentally weak and a meak character. He averages 32 at home and 47 away, and is one of the rare batsmen to come up with an average of 50 in his first overseas tour from Asia but it is a mystery how can a player like him can suffer with this kind of fate in a matter of two years.

Rahul is the next ABD in making and I am sure no matter how much poster underrates ABD the test batsmen, they will accept that he is good enough a test batsmen to walk into this Indian team. Give a few more matches to Rahul. He will come good.

 

[Hawkeye]

Both have lower peak than IND counterparts.

And both will not do as good as their counterparts over the course of their careers.

Azhar might be able to remain decent to good throughout, tho.

 

[Hasan123]

Rahane is better than Shafiq. Azhar and Pujara is a close one , I would go with Azhar just though.

But Rahane and Pujara must be frustrating for Indian fans ad they should have kicked on yet they are inconsistent and have gone through lean patches.

Don't understand how people think Rahane can captain India when he isn't consistent with his own performances.

 

[the_outsider]

Don't understand how people think Rahane can captain India when he isn't consistent with his own performances.

I don't think a team needs it's best or even 2nd best player to be the captain.

Hussain was not very consistent as a batsman but he is the best captain England has ever had.

 

[Hasan123]

I don't think a team needs it's best or even 2nd best player to be the captain.

Hussain was not very consistent as a batsman but he is the best captain England has ever had.

I agree but you need to be able to maintain your performance consistently and make the team on merit. Rahane place is questionable after this series even if he won't be dropped, if he was it wouldn't be bad decision.

 

[happydavy]

To me both Pujara and rahane are duds. They have been in the team for 5-6 years now but they play without a plan. They always need Kohli around them to score shots else they are just too timid. Most importantly, they are so focused on scoring runs for themselves that team situations don't matter to them.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Shafiq is like Rahane, unable to take charge. Azhar has a low SR probably due to the dead UAE pitches where run rates have usually been very low, him and Pujara are good bats, at least better than the other 2 mentioned

 

[the_outsider]

I agree but you need to be able to maintain your performance consistently and make the team on merit. Rahane place is questionable after this series even if he won't be dropped, if he was it wouldn't be bad decision.

To me both Pujara and rahane are duds. They have been in the team for 5-6 years now but they play without a plan. They always need Kohli around them to score shots else they are just too timid. Most importantly, they are so focused on scoring runs for themselves that team situations don't matter to them.

I think Rahane still should be persisted with. He is only 30. He's been in terrible form for too long now. But he has shown to have ability before. I don't believe a test batsman just looses that forever at only 30 years of age.

But he does look like he's playing for his spot when he goes out to bat. Kohli and team management has certainly failed to create a secure environment for the players.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Pujara and Rahane are better versions of Azhar and Asad. All have such similar flaws that it’s uncanny

 

[Slim]

For all their faults, Shafiq and especially Azhar are above Pujara and Rahane. Pujara is not even someone i would bring into comparison, he is a flat out Home track bully and a total nobody outside of Asia. He has one or two abnormal performances but otherwise he is a trash batsman. Rahane on the other hand also has regressed massively average around 28 in this series.

 

[Srtfan]

Pujara & azhar ali is fine,but other two is inconsistent

 

[cricketjoshila]

Pujara avgs 50 with the bat. Avgs 46 in this series with a century. He has done ok in england.

 

[Hasan123]

I think Rahane still should be persisted with. He is only 30. He's been in terrible form for too long now. But he has shown to have ability before. I don't believe a test batsman just looses that forever at only 30 years of age.

But he does look like he's playing for his spot when he goes out to bat. Kohli and team management has certainly failed to create a secure environment for the players.

He will keep his place for now but he could be dropped if he fails for the rest of the year.

 

[cricketjoshila]

He will keep his place for now but he could be dropped if he fails for the rest of the year.

Managements insistence that he change his game to suit LoIs have resulted in this decline. Now that he is no more a part of the LoI set up he will improve.

 

[Savak]

Managements insistence that he change his game to suit LoIs have resulted in this decline. Now that he is no more a part of the LoI set up he will improve.

Rahane's game in ODI's was suited to the opening slot where the fielding restrictions were beneficial to his strike rate. His coming in the middle order in ODI's does not make much sense.

 

[Ab Fan]

Those two, Pujara and rahane, were expected to be VVS and Dravid for India. Unfortunately, they are not fit enough to lace the boots of those two.

The reason for India's so many success overseas were those two, while in contrast, Pujara has literally no impact outside Asia and Rahane has looked clueless in his last tours to SA and England.

 

[Mohammad zuber]

Pujara is excellent batsman in asian conditions
Example
Ind vs sl 3rd test excellent 100
Ind vs aus 2nd test excellent 90
If you have azhar ali and shafiqs match winning innings please post
Pujara is a match winner in asian conditions

 

[Mohammad zuber]

Pujara has a better stats in asian conditions than dravid and laxman

 

[Mohammad zuber]

Can anyone post azhar ali 1 match winning innings please whre he single-handedly won pakistan match

 

[the_outsider]

Those two, Pujara and rahane, were expected to be VVS and Dravid for India. Unfortunately, they are not fit enough to lace the boots of those two.

The reason for India's so many success overseas were those two, while in contrast, Pujara has literally no impact outside Asia and Rahane has looked clueless in his last tours to SA and England.

Dravid is an ATG. People were foolish to think we could find a like-for-like replacement for him so easily.

But Rahane has really disappointed. He had the potential to be much better than he has turned out to be.

 

[the_outsider]

He will keep his place for now but he could be dropped if he fails for the rest of the year.

Unfortunately, yes. And deservedly so.

I just hope he is kept away from the LOI squad and can bring back his long format batsmanship to where it was in 2014.

 

[Ab Fan]

Dravid is an ATG. People were foolish to think we could find a like-for-like replacement for him so easily.

But Rahane has really disappointed. He had the potential to be much better than he has turned out to be.

I had no issue with Rahane failing in Asia as long as he delivered with bat outside Asia. India already has many great players for Asian conditions but his value increases a lot when India tours other non-Asian countries but he has been a massive disappointment.

I think Rahane is talented enough to score outside Asia but the difference between him and Dravid/Laxman is of character and substance. He is too soft and a mentally weak cricketer.

Pujara is one of the greatest ever in Asia but outside, he is clueless. However, I feel he will still chip in with one or two good innings there and end up being as good as say, Mahela Jayawardene, in test cricket. Rahane has been a shocking disappointment though because expectations were bigger from him.

 

[Ab Fan]

A deep analysis from fans of either sides will be interesting on this.

Rahane averages 41, so he is not too far off these two and Pujara has been terrible outside the subcontinent.

 

[Ab Fan]

Rahane is better than Shafiq. Azhar and Pujara is a close one , I would go with Azhar just though.

But Rahane and Pujara must be frustrating for Indian fans ad they should have kicked on yet they are inconsistent and have gone through lean patches.

Don't understand how people think Rahane can captain India when he isn't consistent with his own performances.

You surely won't pick Azhar now over Pujara

 

[Hasan123]

You surely won't pick Azhar now over Pujara

Pujara is better than Azhar but has similar issues which could cost India outside of Asia.

 

[rhony]

Hey atleast Azhar Ali is not the captain of a PSL franchise. In a recent interview when he was asked why he isn't aggressive, Rahane roared "Who said I'm not aggressive" lol

 

[rhony]

Can anyone post azhar ali 1 match winning innings please whre he single-handedly won pakistan match

Win against SL in 4th innings with a great century a few years ago. Was just 4 runs away the other day

 

[topspin]

I don't think a team needs it's best or even 2nd best player to be the captain.

Hussain was not very consistent as a batsman but he is the best captain England has ever had.

You've brought the most extreme example to support your argument. You do realise Nasser Hussain wasn't just a good captain right? The difference is that he inspired one of the worst teams (only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh were worse) in the beginning of 2000 to become a world class test side because he was a tactical genius and a leader of men.

His batting was very poor in 2000 where I remember towards the end of the year he had just one half century averaging something like 12 however he led England to wins against WI side which had the likes of Lara, Jimmy Adams, Walsh and Ambrose (albeit the latter two were on their last legs) and away to Sri Lanka side who had Jayasuria, Jaywerdna, Atapattu, Murali and Vaas against the odds that year.

Nasser Hussain not only reversed England's fortunes after a torrid period in the 90s but built a side that allowed them to win an Ashes a year after he retired. This was unthinkable against an ATG Aussie 5 years back.

I know specialist captain is used with jest to describe Sarfraz's role in his side but if there was a bonafide one from the last 20 years it would be none other than Nasser Hussain. Tendulkar also said he's the best captain he ever played against in his 25 year test career which really speaks for itself.

Rahane isn't even half as good as what Nasser Hussain was as a tactician and leader.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Pujara is excellent batsman in asian conditions
Example
Ind vs sl 3rd test excellent 100
Ind vs aus 2nd test excellent 90
If you have azhar ali and shafiqs match winning innings please post
Pujara is a match winner in asian conditions

This! And Ind won both series 2-1.

 

[rhony]

In 2017 & 2018 (Home & Away)

Rahane - 20 matches, 33 innings, 999 runs at an avg of 32 with 1 hundred and 6 50s
Azhar ALi- 12 matches, 24 innings, 765 runs at an avg of 32 with 2 hundreds and 6 50s.
Asad Shafiq- 12 matches, 21 innings, 691 runs at an avg of 33 with 1 hundred and 3 fifties.
Pujara- 21 matches, 35 innings, 1649 runs at an avg of 49.96 with 5 100s and 8 50s

Pujara should not even be part of this list. As you can clearly see, the three duds have amazingly similar records and it is surprising to see they are still batting main stays in their teams. It's even incredible to see a batting heavyweight team like India carrying a nothing Batsman in Rahane and even making him a captain.

 

[Bilal7]

This is how I would rank them:

1) Azhar
2) Rahane
3) Pujara
4) Shafiq

 

[Mohammad zuber]

This! And Ind won both series 2-1.

Pujara is a higher matchwinner than kohli in asian conditions and i can prove it via stats if anyone had doubts reply to me

 

[BreadPakoda]

In 2017 & 2018 (Home & Away)

Rahane - 20 matches, 33 innings, 999 runs at an avg of 32 with 1 hundred and 6 50s
Azhar ALi- 12 matches, 24 innings, 765 runs at an avg of 32 with 2 hundreds and 6 50s.
Asad Shafiq- 12 matches, 21 innings, 691 runs at an avg of 33 with 1 hundred and 3 fifties.
Pujara- 21 matches, 35 innings, 1649 runs at an avg of 49.96 with 5 100s and 8 50s

Pujara should not even be part of this list. As you can clearly see, the three duds have amazingly similar records and it is surprising to see they are still batting main stays in their teams. It's even incredible to see a batting heavyweight team like India carrying a nothing Batsman in Rahane and even making him a captain.

Very peculiar stats for Azhar. I thought he had done better. He made 2 hundreds and 6 50s and yet ended up with only 765 in 24 innings. Must have failed terribly in the rest of the 18 innings..

 

[Mohammad zuber]

Win against SL in 4th innings with a great century a few years ago. Was just 4 runs away the other day

He single-handedly not won the match against srilanka but he cost a test match single-handedly with his amazing tuk-tuk batting

 

[rhony]

He single-handedly not won the match against srilanka but he cost a test match single-handedly with his amazing tuk-tuk batting

How did he single handedly lose the match? He was the one that scored and was the last one out. Can't blame the guy that played well.7 wickets were lost for 30 runs. Each and every one of them is responsible for the defeat

 

[rhony]

Very peculiar stats for Azhar. I thought he had done better. He made 2 hundreds and 6 50s and yet ended up with only 765 in 24 innings. Must have failed terribly in the rest of the 18 innings..

Azhar had a terrible 2018. 12 innings, 261 runs at 21.75 ave and 3 fifties with zero hundreds

 

[Srtfan]

Pujara
Azhar
Rahane
Shafiq

 

[Ab Fan]

Pujara
Rahane
Azhar
Shafiq

This is the ranking IMHO, even though it is the same frustration for Indian fans with the duo as it is for Pak fans with their duo.

 

[the_outsider]

You've brought the most extreme example to support your argument. You do realise Nasser Hussain wasn't just a good captain right? The difference is that he inspired one of the worst teams (only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh were worse) in the beginning of 2000 to become a world class test side because he was a tactical genius and a leader of men.

His batting was very poor in 2000 where I remember towards the end of the year he had just one half century averaging something like 12 however he led England to wins against WI side which had the likes of Lara, Jimmy Adams, Walsh and Ambrose (albeit the latter two were on their last legs) and away to Sri Lanka side who had Jayasuria, Jaywerdna, Atapattu, Murali and Vaas against the odds that year.

Nasser Hussain not only reversed England's fortunes after a torrid period in the 90s but built a side that allowed them to win an Ashes a year after he retired. This was unthinkable against an ATG Aussie 5 years back.

I know specialist captain is used with jest to describe Sarfraz's role in his side but if there was a bonafide one from the last 20 years it would be none other than Nasser Hussain. Tendulkar also said he's the best captain he ever played against in his 25 year test career which really speaks for itself.

Rahane isn't even half as good as what Nasser Hussain was as a tactician and leader.

Yeah you're right about that. I was just making the point that a team's captain does not necessarily have to be one of its best players.

I'm not lobbying for Rahane to be made captain or anything.

There are other less extreme examples though. Mashrafe Mortaza and Marvan Attapattu come to mind.

 

[ind_win]

Last overseas tour for pujara and rahane.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Very peculiar stats for Azhar. I thought he had done better. He made 2 hundreds and 6 50s and yet ended up with only 765 in 24 innings. Must have failed terribly in the rest of the 18 innings..

His two hundreds came against WI.

50(136) in England and 71(159) in Australia were his two notable overseas innings. He is having some mediocre times.

 

[BreadPakoda]

I still like Azhar though. Opening is no joke and he still averages in late 30s when he has opened in recent time which isn't bad at all considering his poor form.

 

[the_outsider]

Last overseas tour for pujara and rahane.

Definitely not the last overseas tour for Pujara. He just got a century in England and averaged 40 in that series. He was easily India's second-best batsman in that series.

But I agree about Rahane. He is on thin ice.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pujara will again go back to home or perhaps anywhere in Asia and pile lots of runs and might get nod for another overseas tour.

But now I think for that to happen, he got to score runs in Australia and New Zealand this time. If he does that, he can become an Indian test great atleast.

 

[ind_win]

Definitely not the last overseas tour for Pujara. He just got a century in England and averaged 40 in that series. He was easily India's second-best batsman in that series.

But I agree about Rahane. He is on thin ice.

I would like to agree with you but I think he has no chance against cummins, hazelwood, starc all of whom can swing balls back into a batsman - a weak point which pujara failed to overcome.

Actually, that is the biggest complaint I have about him - he plays only one format and still not good at it or matured enough, more in overseas.

As for rahane , IPL welcomes him. It was good to have him. Bye.Bye.

 

[the_outsider]

I would like to agree with you but I think he has no chance against cummins, hazelwood, starc all of whom can swing balls back into a batsman - a weak point which pujara failed to overcome.

Actually, that is the biggest complaint I have about him - he plays only one format and still not good at it or matured enough, more in overseas.

As for rahane , IPL welcomes him. It was good to have him. Bye.Bye.

We'll have to wait and see how Pujara does against Australia. He might (and should) do better than last time.

In any case, he had a good tour of England with the bat and he is the most prolific run-scorer in the whole team in Asia. So his place is secure.

Rahane has really disappointed me. In terms of talent, he is probably only behind Kohli but his performance has gone down so badly in the last 2 years it's shocking.

If Rahane fails on this tour as well, I don't see him keeping his place in the test side anymore. He will be replaced with Hanuma Vihari or Karun Nair.

 

[ind_win]

We'll have to wait and see how Pujara does against Australia. He might (and should) do better than last time.

In any case, he had a good tour of England with the bat and he is the most prolific run-scorer in the whole team in Asia. So his place is secure.

Rahane has really disappointed me. In terms of talent, he is probably only behind Kohli but his performance has gone down so badly in the last 2 years it's shocking.

If Rahane fails on this tour as well, I don't see him keeping his place in the test side anymore. He will be replaced with Hanuma Vihari or Karun Nair.

1st highlight:
This is not enough - he should score more than 1 century atleast and 3 70+ scores. He has no excuses now.

2nd highlight:
Please do not utter that word anymore. Rohit, Jadeja, Raina - all clinged to that word for 7 years. I hate that word.

But I understand your good intentions. And I will be more than happy if these guys proved me wrong.
As it see it, Rahane is over the hill.
Pujara - going down overseas, good at in-India series. We can have karun nair, vihari so many options .

 

[Mohammad zuber]

1st highlight:
This is not enough - he should score more than 1 century atleast and 3 70+ scores. He has no excuses now.

2nd highlight:
Please do not utter that word anymore. Rohit, Jadeja, Raina - all clinged to that word for 7 years. I hate that word.

But I understand your good intentions. And I will be more than happy if these guys proved me wrong.
As it see it, Rahane is over the hill.
Pujara - going down overseas, good at in-India series. We can have karun nair, vihari so many options .

Pujara will be never been same player outside asia because of his limited shots in asia he is a bigger player than kohli

 

[Mohammad zuber]

How did he single handedly lose the match? He was the one that scored and was the last one out. Can't blame the guy that played well.7 wickets were lost for 30 runs. Each and every one of them is responsible for the defeat

I can accept if he try to hit boundarie and get out but you are blocking with a tailenders seriously one of the worst batsman in pak team currently even pujara can win that match for india in that situation

 

[ind_win]

Pujara will be never been same player outside asia because of his limited shots in asia he is a bigger player than kohli

I will partly agree with your statement. For now. As you would be talking about status quo.

In India, kohli started to perform consistently - well in tests, to be precise - in the last 2 years or so and I will say in 1-2 years time after 1 more round of in-India series, kohli's India figures will be much better.

 

[the_outsider]

1st highlight:
This is not enough - he should score more than 1 century atleast and 3 70+ scores. He has no excuses now.

2nd highlight:
Please do not utter that word anymore. Rohit, Jadeja, Raina - all clinged to that word for 7 years. I hate that word.

But I understand your good intentions. And I will be more than happy if these guys proved me wrong.
As it see it, Rahane is over the hill.
Pujara - going down overseas, good at in-India series. We can have karun nair, vihari so many options .

I'm saying Rahane had talent because when he came to the international stage, he was a complete batsman. He could play both pace and spin on any kind of surface and score runs at a good click (60-70 SR).

Even Kohli had to learn and adjust his game to suit to English conditions, etc. Dravid, VVS, Sehwag so many great batsmen had to go back to the drawing board and work on their batting to adjust to foreign conditions. They didn't always succeed at first go.

But technically, Rahane was readymade for all conditions from the start of his career.

So yes I'm very surprised that he has "lost" technique. I've rarely seen batsmen lose their technique like this unless they are on the other side of 35. For Rahane to lose it like this at the age of 30 is shocking and honestly, inexplicable.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Pujara
Azhar
Shafiq
Rahane

Rahane has to be the most meek batsman I have ever seen. Its only a matter of time he gets ousted from team India.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Pujara and Rahane have been the bigger disappointments compared to Azhar and Shafiq.

Both Pujara and Rahane came to the national side after scoring 5000+ FC runs averaging 60+. Pujara still has lots of achievements , can score massively on minefields and has tough 100s in SA and Aus. Rahane has been such a huge let down. Great stat in 2014-15 but has started to fade away gradually. Just can't play spin and now can't score away from home. A couple of failures and both could lose their place in the 11 on this Aus tour itself.

Azhar and Shafiq were big hopes for Pakistan but had not as eye popping FC record when they began. In fact, both have over achieved vs their FC stats.

 

[Mohammad zuber]

Indian team play lots of overseas tests compare to pakistan thats why pak batsmen overacheived

 

[Varun]

Why haven't Pujara/Rahane and Azhar/Asad been able to replace their predecessors?

India and Pakistan have tottered with these duos through the 2010s, but they are a discount version of the players they replaced - Dravid/Laxman and Younis/Yousuf.

What's gone wrong? It's not like they've been distracted by the T20 stuff either - they are test specialists, yet they've found it hard going.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Pujara was pretty poor in the county games as well in England (on another note).

I think for Pakistan they play a lack of test cricket and you do get the rust as well with such big gaps that they have.

In terms of Rahane/Pujara they are still good players but you can't constantly go change-happy whenever you get a few failures and so you must be patient otherwise if there are players waiting in the Ranji trophy then select them.

Asad was a deadwood players and incompetent people like Haroon Rashid selected him for so long was a disgrace.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

India and Pakistan have tottered with these duos through the 2010s, but they are a discount version of the players they replaced - Dravid/Laxman and Younis/Yousuf.

What's gone wrong? It's not like they've been distracted by the T20 stuff either - they are test specialists, yet they've found it hard going.

Asad Shafiq has to be the most useless middle order batsman ever. After 77 tests, which is a humongous amount for a Pakistani cricketer, he has scored a miserable 4660 runs at a pathetic average of 38.16.

Likes of Pujara, Rahane and Azhar are leagues ahead.

(Apologies for the rant)

---

Supposing the predecessors are SRT, Dravid, YK and Misbah.

SRT is a once in a lifetime kind of batsman. We will see if, at the end of his career, Kohli can achieve what SRT did.

Dravid/YK/Misbah are legends in their own regard.

 

[Sir-fraz]

Asad Shafiq has to be the most useless middle order batsman ever. After 77 tests, which is a humongous amount for a Pakistani cricketer, he has scored a miserable 4660 runs at a pathetic average of 38.16.

Likes of Pujara, Rahane and Azhar are leagues ahead.

(Apologies for the rant)

---

Supposing the predecessors are SRT, Dravid, YK and Misbah.

SRT is a once in a lifetime kind of batsman. We will see if, at the end of his career, Kohli can achieve what SRT did.

Dravid/YK/Misbah are legends in their own regard.

Wooow can not believe technique playrd 77 tests.... ridiculous amount for an avg batter

 

[mastimasti]

Shafiq used to be a very good number 6, in terms of stats, possibly the best ever. The problem is since Misbah and YK retired, his form slid but it also happened that he was on the wrong side of 30.

Azhar Ali was also another exceptional batsman, whose form has slide in recent time, Pujara is excellent.

Rahane is not worth mentioning.

 

[Ab Fan]

Both Pujara and Rahane need to be dropped from Indian team. Rahane has the skills-set of Dravid for overseas conditions while Pujara has borrowed the grit and temperament from Dravid.

When you combine the skills of Rahane vs pace and grit of Pujara, what you get is Rahul Dravid. However, over their entire career, they have shown that neither of the two are a patch on Dravid and doesn't deserve a guaranteed middle order spot.

If you can drop the Rohits and Rahuls who were openers with immense ability but struggled to perform consistently or went through a bad patch then there is no reason to persist with Rahane or Pujara.

KL, Gill and Vihari are good enough to take their roles. Vihari is an excellent player of spin and he should be used on a full-time basis and not just for overseas conditions. Then only he will develop as batsman.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Both Pujara and Rahane need to be dropped from Indian team. Rahane has the skills-set of Dravid for overseas conditions while Pujara has borrowed the grit and temperament from Dravid.

When you combine the skills of Rahane vs pace and grit of Pujara, what you get is Rahul Dravid. However, over their entire career, they have shown that neither of the two are a patch on Dravid and doesn't deserve a guaranteed middle order spot.

If you can drop the Rohits and Rahuls who were openers with immense ability but struggled to perform consistently or went through a bad patch then there is no reason to persist with Rahane or Pujara.

KL, Gill and Vihari are good enough to take their roles. Vihari is an excellent player of spin and he should be used on a full-time basis and not just for overseas conditions. Then only he will develop as batsman.

Thats a very interesting take.

And quite true too.

Never thought about it.

Rahane and Pujara have the skills & temperament of Dravid. But separately they are a pale shadow of Dravid.

Yes both should be dropped.

We gotta move on.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

India and Pakistan have tottered with these duos through the 2010s, but they are a discount version of the players they replaced - Dravid/Laxman and Younis/Yousuf.

What's gone wrong? It's not like they've been distracted by the T20 stuff either - they are test specialists, yet they've found it hard going.

They just aren't their predecessors' replacement.

But we fooled ourselves into believing they were.

Hence the issue.

 

[MesonK]

Azhar ali has left behind Pujara ... or in other words Pujara has become discount Azhar Ali ...

I will not post the filtered stats here because that bridge has been crossed many time on this forum and it ended with Indian jingo fans leaving the thread.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

As bad as Rahane is his Away average performance is three levels above guys like Azhar and Shafiq.
An overall avg of 45 in SENAW compared to 35 for Ali and Pujara, don't even know what Shafiq averages, he is poor man's Rahane.

 

[Firebat]

Another failure for Pujara-Rahane.

Signs of late stage Asad Shafiq-ism.

 

[King_Kohli]

Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are not going to rip their shirts off if they are dropped: Sunil Gavaskar

Pujara got 4, 12*, 9 in the three innings in England so far while Rahane scored 5 and 1. Gavaskar, however, pointed out that none of the Indian batters barring openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have been scoring runs consistently.

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was not pleased with the continuous criticism meted out towards experienced Indian batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Both Pujara and Rahane have not been at their best in the last couple of years. Considered to be the pillars of India’s middle-order along with captain Virat Kohli, Rahane and Pujara have been averaging in the 20s this year.

There were a lot of talks about Pujara and Rahane’s place in the Indian side ahead of the England series but both of them managed to hold on to their positions for the first two Tests without giving the desired results.

Pujara got 4, 12*, 9 in the three innings in England so far while Rahane scored 5 and 1. Gavaskar, however, pointed out that none of the Indian batters barring openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have been scoring runs consistently.

“He was the highest run-scorer for India at the WTC final with 49. So nobody else has scored runs in this period, to be honest, but questions have been asked only about two cricketers. They are low-profile cricketers. They are not going to rip their shirt off and create a scene (if they are dropped),” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports Network.

Much was expected from Rahane and Pujara after Rohit (83) KL Rahul (129) put India in a commanding position in the second Test match against England. But both of them got out cheaply in identical fashion to James Anderson. Pujara pushed at a delivery to end up nicking it for 9. Rahane fell on his first ball of Day 2 for 1 off 23.

Gavaskar said if these two experienced players are getting out in the same manner match after match then questions must be asked of the support staff too.

“Just let Ajinkya Rahane play. Yes, if he does not score runs here there is cause for concern but that cause for concern has to be regarding his technical abilities, with Pujara as well. The way he has got out in Australia playing down the wrong, being beaten by the outswinger nothing has changed as far as that is concerned. So what is happening? Who is the one to take care of it? Not just with Pujara. There’s a staff there. If you are getting out in the same manner, then there is something wrong not just with your technique but also the guys who are supposed to help you,” Gavaskar added.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ajinkya-rahane-and-cheteshwar-pujara-are-not-going-rip-their-shirt-off-if-they-are-dropped-sunil-gavaskar-101628852855873.html

 

[Ab Fan]

Rahane debuted in Test Cricket in 2013. He had a golden patch between 2013-16 but has been mediocre and out of form since 2016.

In last 5 years, his stats are :-

Tests - 51
Runs - 2791
AVG - 36

Pujara's stats in last 2 years are :-

Tests- 20
Runs - 866
AVG - 27

Embarrassing stuff this.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Very random thing but I find it amazing how similar and comparable Asad Shafiq and Ajinkya Rahane's numbers are:

Asad Shafiq	Ajinkya Rahane
Age: 38	Age: 36
Matches: 77	Matches: 85
Average: 38.19	Average: 38.46
Runs: 4660	Runs: 5077
100s: 12	100s: 12
50s: 27	50s: 26
Avg. in matches PAK won: 45.92	Avg. in matches IND won: 46.87
Avg. in Australia: 38.10	Avg in Australia: 42.09
Avg. in England: 28.80	Avg in England: 28.80
100s in England: 1	100s in England: 1
Avg. in South Africa: 32.80	Avg. in South Africa: 36.14
Avg. in Sri Lanka: 49.08	Avg. in Sri Lanka: 45.22
100s in Sri Lanka: 2	100s in Sri Lanka: 2
Avg. in Bangladesh: 70.02	Avg. in Bangladesh: 98.00
Avg. at No. 6 position: 41.81	Avg. at No. 6 position: 40.92

A key difference between the two is the fact that Rahane played some outstanding knocks in Australia during the 2021/22 series and captained India to an incredible series win, which automatically puts him in a special place in the annals of Indian cricket. Asad, on the other hand, did play an outstanding knock in Australia but could not get Pakistan over the line, which is a key distinction. Besides that, Rahane has significantly better numbers in New Zealand and the West Indies but mediocre numbers at home. In contrast, Asad has excellent numbers in the UAE and Pakistan, as well as a significantly better record in the fourth innings.

At the end of the day, both were perennial underachievers in my book—batsmen who had great purple patches at the start of their careers and showed good potential but ultimately failed to do justice to their talent and live up to expectations. They often performed in tougher and more challenging conditions but failed in easier situations. The lack of consistency, in general, was a recurring theme throughout their careers.