Team India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has been a big flop in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. The right-handed batsman had a chance to make amends in the third Test, but the veteran once again surrendered meekly in front of the English bowlers.
Meanwhile, England defeated India by an innings and 76 runs in the match. Ollie Robinson was the star performer, who took five wickets in the second innings.
Former India player Maninder Singh feels Ajinkya Rahane needs backing from Ravi Shastri to come out of his poor form.
“I think there is going to be a lot of talks. Ravi Shastri is a good motivator and he has motivated this Indian team really well. That is why, probably, if you see their record since he has become coach, it has been pretty good,” Maninder told ESPNcicinfo.
The former spinner further added that Shastri cannot think that Rahane has played a lot of Test matches and needs no motivation.
“I would be expecting Ravi Shastri to be a little over-active. Ajinkya Rahane has played 80-odd Test matches. But Shastri can’t think that he has played 80 Tests, so he knows his job.”
“Sometimes even great players need to be motivated. You need to sit with them, maybe take him out for dinner or something. You need to keep telling Rahane that he has done it before, he can do it again, and that he has got to be in a positive frame of mind. That is one department where all coaches need to be proactive,” explained Maninder