good opportunity Patel and Rahane in ODI series

New Delhi: With Sachin Tendulkar ruled out for the rest of the ODI series against England with a toe injury, it could be a blessing in disguise for young opener Ajinkya Rahane, who will try to cement his place in the Indian team, and the upcoming ODIs provide the best opportunity for him to prove his worth.

Team India must have been disappointed with the abandoned first ODI as for the first time they looked good for a win on the England tour, only to have the weather Gods dash their hopes.
Being fresh additions to the team after India's disastrous outing in the Tests, Patel and Rahane bring in fresh legs and an aggressive approach that an injured team has failed to adopt whenever they tried to.
In a handsome partnership of 82 in just 16 overs, Patel and Rahane showed what they are capable of. Patel just took the attack to the opposition from the word go and played short deliveries with utter disdain; with 75 per cent of his score of 95 coming from square off the wicket.
Rahane looks balanced on the crease and has surprised England with his unshakable confidence.  He made a classy 61 off 39 balls on his debut in the one-off Twenty20, and followed it up with a 44-ball 40 in his first ODI for India.
Rahane is the more correct and composed player of the two. The duo played the new ball well in tough conditions and adjusted to the pressure that can surely help the team in upcoming ODIs.
With Sachin out for the remainder of the tour, surely Patel and Rahane will open in the remaining ODIs, and they look good to grab the opportunity with both hands in the remaining four ODIs.