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'Just A Rough Patch' - Shardul Thakur Defends Rahane & Iyer Following Ranji Final Failure

Rahane failed yet again in Ranji Trophy [X.com]Rahane failed yet again in Ranji Trophy [X.com]

India and Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur has backed struggling batters Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer despite their lacklustre performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

Iyer has been in the spotlight since his back injury sidelined him from the Test squad, followed by his BCCI contract termination. 

Upon joining his domestic team in Mumbai, Iyer failed to make a significant impact with the bat in the three innings he has played so far. 

Iyer, who has not been a regular in the Mumbai lineup this season, has managed only 58 runs in three games at an average of 19.33, with a highest score of 48.

Similarly, Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane has struggled, accumulating just 141 runs in eight Ranji matches at an average of 12.81, with only one fifty to his name. 

In the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, he could only muster 7 runs from 35 deliveries. His scores throughout the season have been disappointing, with seven single-digit scores in 11 innings.

Defending his Mumbai teammates, Rahane and Iyer, Shardul said (as quoted by ESPNCricinfo), 

"Ajinkya is not scoring runs throughout the season. He is not in the greatest of the forms. We cannot blame him as it is just a phase for him where he is not getting runs. It's just a rough patch for them. That's what I would say [about] Shreyas [and] Ajinkya. These guys have been absolute match-winners for Mumbai and India. Right now, it's not their time; it's time to support them rather than criticising them because it's easy to criticise.”

Turning to the Ranji Trophy final, Mumbai got off to a promising start but faltered against quality bowling. 

Shardul Thakur, in sublime form, played a crucial innings, scoring 75 runs off 69 balls to rescue his side, helping them post 224/20 in 64.3 overs. Mumbai then made early inroads into the Vidarbha lineup, reducing them to 31/3 by stumps.