Ajinkya Rahane received a major boost when the national selectors offered their complete backing to the struggling Mumbai batsman by selecting him for the South Africa Test tour which begins from January 5 in Cape Town. Going by his current form, vice-captain Rahane seems to be the weakest link in this Indian team that is otherwise firing from all quarters. In Rahane's selection, the MSK Prasad-headed selection panel have clearly given preference to his superior overseas Test record rather than take into account the lean patch that he is undergoing. While Rahane averages 34.45 in Tests on home soil, his average shoots to 53.44 on foreign soil. His away record boasts of six centuries and nine half centuries as compared to three tons and three fifties at home.

India’s Ajinkya Rahane on Day Four of the third Test against SL in New Delhi yesterday. Pic/AFP