Facing spin, Ajinkya Rahane not quite at 'home'

Whatever might be off-kilter on the inside, the Indian team does an unparalleled job of presenting itself and preserving the narrative in defence of team-mates.

Take, for instance, Virat Kohli’s take on Ajinkya Rahane’s lack of form since his century against Australia in Melbourne last year. “He and (Cheteshwar) Pujara are the best Test players we have,” said the Indian skipper, avoiding the question entirely.

Rahane, ensuring the chain remains unbroken, spoke of himself in the same vein, implying his impact. Lest we question his ‘team-man’ status!

While there is some truth to what the captain and vice-captain profess, it’s not the whole truth.

Rahane’s career average is an appreciable 41.41 from 72 Tests, including 12 centuries and 23 half-centuries. But what these stats fail to pick out is that he has scored only one century at home since 2016.

In fact, the Mumbaikar is significantly does better overseas than at home. While his career average rockets to 44.44 with eight tons and 15 half-centuries abroad, he crawls to 36.69 here.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t always the case as he averaged 51.75 at home and 30.87 away before 2016.

Read | We never complain about damp wickets abroad: Ajinkya Rahane

A hypothesis worth considering is the influence of white-ball cricket (given the timeline) and the resultant lack in discipline needed to counter spin. Even Kohli alluded to this point in his most recent press-do, but while that problem is a cricketing endemic, it seems to have affected Rahane more.

That’s largely because Rahane has never been a reliable enough exponent against spin. Even in the years which preceded 2016, he faced England, New Zealand, West Indies and Sri Lanka at home, and these sides didn’t present a challenging enough spin threat. Also, the period coincided with the beginning of India’s fetish with pace-friendly, grass-laden pitches.

Despite this, Rahane has been dismissed by spinners on 31 occasions while falling to pacemen only 12 times. Since 2019 alone, he has fallen to spin nine times.

With derision in his voice, he claimed that lack of practice played a part in the team’s inability to tackle spin in the ongoing series against England, saying they have barely played at home over the last two years.

As hard as it is to deny that fact, it’s also plain to see that Rahane doesn’t have good enough technique against spinners. He’s far too indecisive at the crease and doesn’t employ soft hands often enough.

If that isn’t trouble enough, he’s also fully aware of his failings which renders him soft target even before he takes guard. Which explains why he looks to manufacture shots and ends up looking ungainly when getting out to them.

Success against spin is as much in the mind as it is on the field. Rahane is yet to believe that he can conquer this peculiar ailment. Until then, we will have to listen to the Indian team justify his role in the team.