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India vs Bangladesh: Ajinkya Rahane to replace Karun Nair in Test team

Karun Nair had replaced Ajinkya Rahane in the final 2 Tests against England and scored a triple ton in his last Test appearance.

Hyderabad: Ajinkya Rahane is set to replace Karun Nair in the Indian team in the one-off Test against Bangladesh starting on Thursday. Virat Kohli, during the press conference on the eve of the Test, announced it on Wednesday.

Karun was drafted into the Indian Test team after Rahane got injured ahead of the fourth Test against England in Mumbai last year. While the Karnataka batsman could score many in his debut Test, he went on to score a triple hundred in the Chennai Test that followed. With the triple ton, Karun also became only the second Indian, after Virender Sehwag, to notch up a triple ton in Tests.

While Karun can consider himself unlucky, Rahane’s inclusion in the side was justified by skipper Kohli as he said: "See, I feel one game doesn't overshadow two years of hardwork from another player. You need to understand what 'Jinx' (Rahane’s nickname) has done for the team over the past two years. He averages almost 50 in the format and he is probably most solid batsman in our team in the Test format."

"Karun was stepping into his (Rahane's) shoes and what he did was remarkable, sealing his spot as far as the squad is concerned. That was something that Karun did. As I said you can't overlook Ajinkya's two years of hardwork on basis of one Test match. He (Rahane) deserves to walk back into the team whenever he got fit. That's my take on it," said Kohli as he ended speculation on who will bat at No.5

( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )
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