Over Ajinkya Rahane's Form, 2 Former India Cricketers In Twitter Feud

Star batsman Ajiknya Rahane's form remains a cause of concern for India ahead of the crucial tour to South Africa. Rahane, who in the last couple of years has been India's most consistent batsman in whites, is currently in the middle of a difficult phase. While other Indian batsmen plundered the Sri Lankan bowling attack, Rahane could only manage a top score of 10 in five outings. In order to give him more time in middle, the Indian team management promoted him to number three in the batting order in the second innings against the Lankans in Delhi.

That decision turned out to be the catalyst for Twitter exchange between two former India cricketers - Vinod Kambli and Aakash Chopra. " Good on India to send Rahane at 3....must get some runs before boarding the flight to SA. #IndvSL," Chopra, who was part of the commentary team for the recently concluded series, tweeted. Rahane's Mumbai senior shot back, saying "MR CHOPRA,how will he get runs? Can you suggest ??????".

Good on India to send Rahane at 3....must get some runs before boarding the flight to SA. #IndvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 5, 2017

MR CHOPRA,how will he get runs? Can you suggest ?????? https://t.co/19uSx3jZlP

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) December 5, 2017

Mr chopra,how will he get runs? Do you have any solution for that pls advise?????? https://t.co/19uSx3jZlP

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) December 6, 2017

 Kambli persisted with his question despite Chopra having ignored it.

@cricketaakash .Good morning to you Mr Chopra.Kindly reply to my previous tweet,our entire cricketing nation wants to know??????

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) December 6, 2017

The former Delhi batsman finally tweeted Kambli.

G'mrng, hope you're well....please provide proof that the entire cricketing nation wants to know ????

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2017

@cricketaakash.Mr Chopra the main question remains unanswered.Where and how he should scores runs???

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) December 6, 2017

With Kambli sticking to his line of questioning, Chopra proposed taking the discussion off Twitter.

We should get on a call and discuss this...instead of doing it here. You know where to get my number from... ????

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 6, 2017

The misfiring Rahane was backed by the team's batting coach Sanjay Bangar during the recently concluded Sri Lanka series.

"I think that would be hurting him definitely but he is a quality player. And going forward, even his overseas record has been phenomenal. Yeah, he would be disappointed. He is a quality player and has the ability to bounce back quickly," Bangar said.

Bangar also applauded Rahane for his record in difficult conditions overseas.

"He is one of the few players who has scored in every overseas country we have toured. That shows the quality he possesses. He is a quality player who has always performed when the chips are down for the team. He will be hurting with the kind of dismissals he has had but he is too good a player to not score runs for a long time."

(With inputs from PTI)