Ajinkya Rahane Gained Due to Patience While Rohit Sharma Failed: Sunil Gavaskar
Ajinkya Rahane scored his first fifty on home soil after India survived a torrid post-lunch session on day 1 of the Kotla Test against South Africa. Sunil Gavaskar said Rahane gained due to his good temperament.
Two Mumbai batsmen had contrasting luck on the opening day of the Kotla Test on Thursday. While Ajinkya Rahane profited by showing patience, Rohit Sharma was just the opposite. Sunil Gavaskar is not amused at Rohit's show of indiscretion. (Highlights | Pics)
Rahane is 11 runs shy of what could be his first Test hundred on home soil on Friday. His innings helped India share Day 1 honours with South Africa at Kotla. Gavaskar is happy with the kind of application Rahane showed on a challenging pitch that had low bounce and turn.
"Patience is key to scoring runs. Just like Rahane did today. These pitches are difficult but not impossible to score runs on," Gavaskar told NDTV in an exclusive chat. The former Test opener added Rahane's approach and to play "within his range" helped him overcome the initial pressure.
Rahane rescued India with a gutsy unbeaten 89, guiding the hosts to 231 for seven after off-spinner Dane Piedt made a memorable return to the South African Test side.
India were reeling at 66-3 and then at 139-6 but Rahane, often unnoticed in the crowd of flashy strokeplayers around him, featured in two fifty-plus stands to help India post the highest total in the low-scoring four-match series.
One of those flashy stroke makers was Rohit Sharma, who threw his wicket away for 1 immediately after enjoying a life. Sharma's best score in the Test series against South Africa has been a 23 in Nagpur.
"He should have been more patient after enjoying a life. This is the effect of too much limited overs cricket. Trying to hit Peidt out of the park was a bad call," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar, who has repeatedly criticised Virat Kohli's stance and balance, said the Indian captain showed that "he is not out of form" by a polished 44. Kohli was out in bizarre fashion, caught by the keeper after a sizzling pull ricocheted off the forward short-leg fielder's thighs.
"He was simply unlucky. I have been out in similar fashion against the West Indies. But as long as Virat batted, he looked good," said Gavaskar.