Five reasons why Ajinkya Rahane should be a regular member of the ODI team

#5 Flexibility

Rahane responds to the team's requirements

Rahane is the quintessential good guy on the team who is willing to do anything asked of him and bat in any position. The problem is that the Indian think-tank loves to consider him as a specialist opening batsman which makes it difficult for him to break into the side.

As long as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are fit, it is very difficult for Rahane to get a place on the side which means that he gets his opportunities only when either of them is injured or rested.

Rahane is the victim of a perception that was first mooted by Dhoni when he was the captain — he suggested that Rahane should be played only as an opener because in the middle order he struggles to rotate the strike and score quickly.

There is a logical flaw in this thinking process since Rahane’s batting average at no. 4 is better than as an opener. Moreover, he averages 61 against Australia which should be a reason for Kohli to include him in the upcoming ODI series.

A strike-rate that hovers around 80 is not bad for a batsman who can bring experience and stability to the middle order. It is at no. 4, and not as an opener, where Rahane needs to be given more chances.