For a largely settled Indian side, there is one big question that needs to be answered — Karun Nair or Ajinkya Rahane? The man who became just the second Indian to score a triple hundred in Tests or the man who has been India’s most consistent performer in the longest format over the past few years?

It’s not an easy decision, that’s for sure. Karun’s innings in Chennai was one for the ages. To score a triple hundred in just his third innings — the fastest to do so in the history of the game — is no small feat. He got his chance thanks to Rahane’s broken finger and he grabbed it with both hands. 

And this is where it gets tricky. The man he replaced — India’s vice captain, no less — is perhaps the most complete Test batsman in the country right now. 

Indian captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday made it clear that Karun’s one triple hundred cannot “overshadow” the two years of consistent performance by Rahane who now “walks back” into the playing XI as a fully fit player.

Rahane didn’t have a great series against England and was out with a fractured hand but is now going to be picked ahead of Nair for the one-off Test starting on Thursday.

“See, I feel one game doesn’t overshadow two years of hard work from another player. You need to understand what ‘Jinx’ (nickname) has done for the team over the past two years. He averages almost 50 in the format and he is probably the most solid batsman in our team in the Test format,” said Kohli as he ended speculation on who will bat at No.5.

Young Nair is expected to go down as one of the rarest players after Englishman Andy Sandham, who scored 325 against West Indies in Kingston in 1925, to be dropped from the very next game. In Sandham’s case, he was 40 at that time and never subsequently played a Test match.

One of the rare Indian captains, who does not believe in keeping things vague, Kohli made it clear that the triple century has helped Karun seal a spot in the squad and that’s about it.

“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 hard work on the basis of one Test match. He (Rahane) deserves to walk back into the team whenever he got fit. That’s my take on it,” he said.

For him, it is the job of a leader to communicate the team’s philosophy and thinking categorically to the players so that they are aware of where they stand.

“I think communication is a big thing in that front and that’s something we really do well in this team. The management and myself conveying to the players about what we want and how we look at each player in the team,” he stated.

“You need to back players for a long time for them to become match winners and eventually have long careers for Team India and produce consistent performances. I think bowlers can be switched according to conditions. In some places, we might want to play three spinners or in some conditions three seamers or maybe one seamer, who is more effective on seamer friendly tracks. I think those things are subject to change and adjustment,” said Kohli.

However, specialist batsmen’s position in the playing XI is non-negotiable and it’s not pitch-dependent, feels Kohli.

“From a batting line-up point of view, you need big runs in Test cricket. To chop and change regularly doesn’t let the batsmen gain confidence as such. Very important to back guys who got injured and are on a comeback trail as they have been a regular feature in playing XI. They need to be given a chance as soon as they comeback.” 

This is essentially the Australian model of handling team selection — ruthless and open. While it is indeed harsh on Karun that he is likely to go back to warming the bench after the greatest innings of his career, Rahane has been the heart and soul of that middle order — both overseas and at home — and is fully entitled to claim his place back. At the end of the day, it’s a good headache to have for the Indian think-tank and with Karun breathing down his neck, Rahane is likely to push himself even further. 

And that’s great news for Indian cricket.

With PTI inputs

Feature image source: Reuters / BCCI