Senior batsmen Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara were already on a short leash when the notable omission of Virat Kohli from the Indian line-up demanded more responsibility from the batting duo in the 2nd Test against South Africa.
However, following a series of poor performances, both Rahane and Pujara once again failed to deliver the goods when their team needed it the most. While Pujara was undone for a mere three runs, Rahane was sent back into the hut for a golden duck in the first innings.
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Safe to say, if it wasn’t for KL Rahul (50) and Ravichandran Ashwin (46), India would have found themselves well short of the 202-run total at the Wanderers. Sadly, both Rahane and Pujara had averaged under 26 since January 2020, which explained why their dismal outing attracted heavy criticism from all corners.
Thus, as opined by great Sunil Gavaskar, both Rahane and Pujara were probably batting for their careers when the duo embarked on a gritty partnership to bail India out of trouble in the second innings. The right-handers added a crucial 111 runs for the third wicket to keep the Proteas at bay.
The last time before today when Pujara and Rahane scored 50-plus runs in the same Test innings was against Bangladesh at Kolkata in 2019 – in India’s first innings.#SAvIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) January 5, 2022
Batting with their backs against the wall, the under-fire Indian batsmen also managed to notch up their respective half-centuries in what looked like a befitting reply to their critics. They did miss out on what could have been career-redeeming tons, but the batting efforts of Rahane and Pujara still managed to elate fans on social media.
Oh, to understand the mind of those on the brink! A 100 in some style! #PujaraRahane
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 5, 2022
Fine, career redeeming half century by @cheteshwar1, full of positivr intent and sparkling strokes
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 5, 2022
When a team keeps winning it is a lot easy to carry players not in form. At some point they will repay the faith if backed. Pujara and Rahane have gone through a tough phase but guess they have saved their careers for another year or so with this stand. #INDvsSA
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) January 5, 2022
Beyond the runs this partnership put together, and it could end up being the match defining event, was the intent both showed. In the boundaries struck but also in the search for singles. Top class. #PujaraRahane
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 5, 2022
This partnership run rate of 5.24 runs per over makes it the fastest 90+ run partnership of Rahane’s career & the second fastest of Pujara’s career. With both players’ careers on the line & India’s away legacy in the balance – two modern greats have delivered. #SAvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 5, 2022
I’m sure “cricket academics” will have 100 reasons why Pujara and Rahane have done better in this innings.
But the truth is: when you’re sinking in water, you hands automatically start to flutter so that you can stay afloat. Its human nature. To fight. To stay alive. #SAvIND
— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) January 5, 2022
Following their dismissals, Rishabh Pant (0), too, departed in quick succession before Ashwin (16) joined him a few overs later. Hanuma Vihari (25*) and Shardul Thakur (28) added 41 runs for the sixth wicket before the latter was dismissed by Marco Jansen.
While Vihari held fort at one end, India kept losing wickets at the other. With Mohammed Siraj accompanying him at the crease, Vihari will be expected to frustrate the hosts in a bid to increase India’s lead on Day 3.
[“source=indiatoday”]