"Probably have just the next innings to save their Test careers"

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar opined that both out-of-form Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are battling for their positions in India's Test playing XI. According to him, the under-pressure duo has only one innings left to save their Test match careers!

Image Credits: The Indian Express

In the first innings of the second Test at Wanderers, Pujara was dismissed after scoring just 3 runs off 33 deliveries while Ajinkya Rahane who walked in at no. 4 in Virat's absence bagged a Golden Duck. Pujara, in the first Test match, bagged a golden duck in the first innings while scoring just 16 runs in the second innings. On the other hand, Rahane followed up his 48 in the first innings with just 20 runs in the second innings!

"After those two dismissals one can say that they [Pujara and Rahane] probably have just the next innings to save their Test careers," said Sunil Gavaskar from commentary box on Day 1 at Wanderers.

"There have been questions asked about their place in the team and now with these two dismissals, they have just one innings left. If there is another innings and the way India is going, it looks like there will be another for them to score something and maybe keep their place in the team," added Gavaskar.

Who can India replace them with?

Hanuma Vihari has been proven pivotal down the order with the bat and can pick up odd wickets with his part-time spin bowling. India can go for Vihari if they decide to Rahane from the Test line-up. Once Rohit Sharma comes in fully fit, India can play Rohit, Rahul, Mayank in the top three or even they can bring in Shreyas Iyer at no. 3 which would give ample amount of rest for the openers during this bio secure bubble era!