2013 in Review: Five emerging Indian cricketers

4. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Regarded as one of the rising youngsters in Indian cricket, Rahane has only luck to blame for warming the bench for so long. However, he did not run out of fuel when selected to represent India at the highest level against the mighty Australians. He failed to spend quality time at the crease in Delhi after travelling for months with the Test squad, but made up for it with a gritty 47 in the first innings against the Dale Steyns in Johannesburg.

The best thing about Rahane is his impeccable timing and his preference of keeping it simple. He seldom implements unorthodox shots and his poise and perseverance deserve acknowledgement. He is firm and composed and builds his innings in style.

At 25, Rahane has a lot of time left to make amends for the selectors’ loss of faith in him, and he would be striving to better his ODI average of 25.66 in 18 matches. The catch now remains whether he can find a place in the packed ODI XI that has been exceptional in the last few months.