With captain Virat Kohli missing the second Test match against South Africa, India have their backs against the wall after losing three wickets before lunch in the ongoing first innings on Day 1 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The visitors started well but lost the crucial wickets of Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession. Fans were particularly disappointed by the departures of veterans Rahane and Pujara. Pujara, who came in at no. 3, could only register three runs off 33 deliveries before losing his wicket to Duanne Oliver in the 24th over. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane was sent back to the pavilion for a golden duck on the very next delivery.
One fan took to Twitter to ask the selectors to drop the duo.
“The way Pujara and Rahane are playing, they should be dropped. They’ve gotten way too many chances and are suppressing young and upcoming talent. Iyer and Vihari are 2 great replacements”, the fan tweeted.
The way Pujara and Rahane are playing, they should be dropped. They’ve gotten way too many chances and are suppressing young and upcoming talent. Iyer and Vihari are 2 great replacements. #CricketTwitter #INDvsSA
— Jai Elhance (@JaiElhance) January 3, 2022
Meanwhile, another fan compared the duo to Rohit Sharma.
“The way Pujara & Rahane are getting chances in their test career after back-to-back failures, if Rohit had also gotten same amount of chances in his test career then, … Rohit’s test number looks far better than all current generation players”, the fan wrote.
The way Pujara & Rahane are getting chances in their test career after back-to-back failures, if Rohit had also gotten same amount of chances in his test career then, …
Rohit’s test number looks far better than all current generation players … pic.twitter.com/wCL0bxfVhS— BtzSHLW (@AbhayAshim) January 3, 2022
“Rahane & Pujara have served Indian cricket well , but time to move ahead”, said another user.
Rahane & Pujara have served Indian cricket well , but time to move ahead.
— Srini (@softsignalout) January 3, 2022
Meanwhile, another user had a funny side of things.
Promoted
“No score is bigger than friendship. Rahane got out even before we start criticizing Pujara. A true friend shielding another”, the user quipped.
No score is bigger than friendship. Rahane got out even before we start criticizing Pujara. A true friend shielding another. #SAvIND
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 3, 2022
Here are some other reactions:
No comments what is the use of having becnh full of talent if pujara rahane …
— mohsinali (@mohsinaliisb) January 3, 2022
Ajinkya Rahane when he meets Cheteshwar Pujara playing in Ranji matches against him after the South Africa series!#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/suy5pEDeKu
— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) January 3, 2022
Time is running out for Pujara and Rahane. With Gill, Vihari, Iyer waiting, the pressure will be there and it’s high time for the team management to take some tough decisions.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) January 3, 2022
KL Rahul (stand-in captain) and Hanuma Vihari are currently batting for India and will be aiming to provide some stability. Rahul especially will be aiming to put in a good display after scoring a century in the first Test.
The visitors won the first Test of the three-match series by 113 runs in Centurion.
Topics mentioned in this article