Rahul's elevation puts Rahane's place in jeopardy, reckons Aakash Chopra

With KL Rahul being elevated as vice-captain of the India Test side, former opener Aakash Chopra reckons that the chances of Ajinkya Rahane making the XI for the South Africa Tests will now be difficult. Rahane has not been in the best of forms with the bat. In his last 16 Tests spanning two years, he has scored just two fifties and a century with an underwhelming average of 24.39.

Shreyas Iyer, who made his debut against New Zealand at home recently, could be an ideal replacement for Rahane if needed. "KL Rahul has been appointed as India's Test vice-captain (for the South Africa series) as Rohit Sharma is injured. Rahul Dravid is the coach, Rohit is the captain of white-ball formats," Chopra said in a video shared on Koo. 

"I think Rahul may be appointed vice-captain in ODIs also... Ajinkya Rahane might find it difficult to find a place in the XI. He was captain just a couple of Test matches ago but right now he's not even the vice-captain. Things are changing in Indian cricket," he added.

Rahane, who made his Test debut in 2013, has scored 4,795 runs at 39.30 in 79 Tests so far.