Ajinkya Rahane Or Shreyas Iyer At No.5? Former India Batter Identifies "Important Factor" That Could Decide Selection In 1st Test

Former India cricketer Pravin Amre feels how Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer fare in the net sessions in the lead-up to the first Test against South Africa could end up being an important factor in selection.

As India gear up to win their maiden Test series in South Africa, the dynamics of the side appears to have changed with more focus on India's underperforming middle-order and high hopes from the pace battery. India's fame middle-order comprising Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane have collectively scored only one Test hundred in last two years. All three of them average below 30 - Rahane 24.39, Pujara 27.38, Kohli 26.04 - in that same period. With Rohit Sharma ruled out of the the Test series with a hamstring injury, the pressure will be on the experienced batters to steer India's ship in the three-Tests in South Africa.

Ahead of the first Test in Centurion beginning on Sunday, the Indian team management have a tough choice to make. There have been indications of running out of patience with Rahane. The right-hander was replaced as India's Test vice-captain by Rohit Sharma ahead of the South Africa series and when the latter was injured, the selectors decided to give the responsibility to KL Rahul.

Shreyas Iyer, who had a fantastic home series against New Zealand, becoming the first Indian cricketer to score a hundred and a fifty on Test debut, has made matters more difficult for someone like Rahane.

Former India cricketer Pravin Amre feels how Rahane and Iyer fare in the net sessions in the lead-up to the first Test could end up being an important factor in selection.

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