Rahane, Binny may get look-in against SA in third T20I after intense practice

OUT-OF-FAVOUR batsman Ajinkya Rahane and all-rounder Stuart Binny may be included in India’s third and final T20I against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, after the duo were spotted undergoing rigorous practice. 

It wasn’t the best of starts for Team India who had to face two consecutive defeats, having already lost the three-match T20I series now. However, this dead rubber is their one last chance to salvage some lost pride and make up for past mistakes. Although the team composition is still unknown, Binny’s inclusion in starting the net practice at Eden could well be a sign of him making it to the playing eleven on Thursday. The all-rounder sweated it out in the nets with his medium-pace bowling to skipper MS Dhoni. 

Dhoni may also consider giving specialist batsman Rahane a chance, after Ambati Rayudu flopped in both matches, failing to open his account in the series. It is now up to the management to decide what combination works best for the team.  
On the other hand, southpaw Shikhar Dhawan hasn’t really impressed with his batting so far, and he will be looking to get back into form. Whether Dhoni will rest in-form batsman Rohit Sharma in favour of Rahane will be a challenge in itself. 

Meanwhile, the Proteas were the first to train at the historic venue in an optional practice session that didn’t feature their star player AB de Villiers. Having already bagged the series with an easy win in Cuttack, South Africa are currently on a high and will be aiming for a clean sweep. 

The T20I series will be followed by the one-day internationals, with the first of the five matches to be played in Kanpur on October 11.