Allan Donald feels India were 'harsh' to leave out Ajinkya Rahane in Cape Town Test

Cape Town: Virat Kohli’s selection policy in the first Test against South Africa in Cape Town garnered a lot of attention. A major talking point was the exclusion of middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who has witnessed a bad patch recently in his Test career.

Eventually, the visitors failed to grab their opportunities as they were beaten by South Africa by 72 runs, in the end, courtesy of a bowling master-class by Vernon Philander. As India gear up to level the series in Pretoria, former South Africa speedster Allan Donald has backed Rahane to regain his lost form in the African continent.

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Stating that his exclusion from the playing XI was harsh, Donald believes the Mumbai batsman can emerge as the backbone of India’s batting line-up.

“I really think it’s harsh to keep Rahane out. Last time he was here he had a great tour. I think for me, Rahane is the man who can steady the ship. He is a rock-solid guy and a good head on his shoulders. South Africans see Rahane sitting on the bench and carrying drinks and they would say ‘wow’. They would rather have that, you know. He’s an absolutely world-class player,” Donald was quoted saying by Hindustan Times.

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The 51-year-old was also impressed with the bowling display of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the Newlands green top.

“I think it’s an amazing bowling lineup. They have passion, control, they are very aggressive and that was a spirited bowling performance. That positivity can be taken to the next Test match. Yes, they are different in pace but they have a lot of skill. South Africa’s bowling attack is based on pace with the exception of Philander while the Indian bowling attack has got incredible variety,” he continued.

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Donald also explained that the visitors should take heart from the loss, hinting that things will get easier for the batsmen in the upcoming Tests.

“I think shot making in Johannesburg and Pretoria will be much better. There was more grass and more moisture than I have seen at Newlands. Pretoria, I think, the scoring rate is much higher and the guys can play their shots. Don’t get me wrong but I don’t think South Africa will get it flat. It won’t be flat. There will be carry and there will be pace. I don’t think India must be disheartened with what happened in Newlands,” he added.