Rahane, Shaw, and Iyer Making Their Mark as Indian Cricketers in County Cricket
2024-08-26
As the cricketing world turns its attention to India’s tour of Sri Lanka and the Hundred, English County cricket has been a focal point for many Indian fans this season. The spotlight is on three prominent Indian cricketers—Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, and Venkatesh Iyer—each making significant strides in the English county scene. Here's a closer look at how these players have fared in their county stints this season.
Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw’s journey in the English County season has been a story of contrasting phases. Following a
disappointing
IPL campaign, Shaw began his stint with Northamptonshire on a rather somber note. His performances in
the County
Championship were modest, accumulating just 93 runs from two matches at an average of 23.25, with a
highest score of 37.
The Northants struggled in these games, drawing one against Glamorgan and losing the other to Sussex.
However, Shaw’s fortunes have taken a positive turn in the One Day Cup. After a shaky start with just
nine runs in the
opener against Derbyshire, Shaw found his rhythm and has been exceptional since. His scores in
subsequent matches—40,
76, 97, and 72—reflect his return to form, amassing 294 runs at an average of 58.60 and a strike rate of
126.77. Despite
his impressive performances, Northamptonshire has had a challenging tournament, winning only one out of
their five games
and languishing towards the bottom of Group A.
Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane’s return to County cricket with Leicestershire has been characterized by consistency and
reliability.
After missing the previous season due to a recall to the Indian Test squad, Rahane has made a noteworthy
impact in the
One Day Cup.
He kicked off his stint with a solid 71 off 60 balls against Nottinghamshire. Following this, Rahane
experienced a dip
in form with scores of three and 37 in matches against Warwickshire and Essex. However, he quickly
regained his touch
with a fine 68 off 57 balls against Sussex, contributing significantly to Leicestershire's narrow 10-run
victory. His
most recent performance was a 27 off 31 balls against Surrey in a high-scoring thriller that ended in a
17-run defeat
for Leicestershire.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer’s debut County stint with Lancashire has been a challenging one. Coming off a successful
IPL 2024 with
the Kolkata Knight Riders, Iyer joined Lancashire amid their struggles in the One Day Cup. His entry
came after
Lancashire’s first two matches, both of which ended in defeats.
Iyer’s initial performances have been underwhelming. In his first two games against Derbyshire and
Somerset, he managed
only 15 and four runs, respectively. Additionally, his bowling effort in the Derbyshire match was less
than stellar,
conceding 15 runs off two overs. Lancashire’s poor run continued, as they lost their next two matches as
well.
Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, and Venkatesh Iyer each bring their unique strengths to the English County
season,
showcasing their skills and confronting various challenges. Shaw’s resurgence in the One Day Cup,
Rahane’s steady
contributions, and Iyer’s ongoing adjustment to County cricket highlight the diverse experiences of
Indian cricketers
abroad. As the season progresses, their performances will be keenly watched, with each player aiming to
make a lasting
impact and further their cricketing careers.
