Pujara and Rahane had been in wretched form in the run-up to this second innings and their 111-run stand formed the cornerstone of India setting a target of 240-run for the Proteas.
Rahane admitted his disappointment from the dismissals in the first Test at Centurion. Rahane made stroke-filled 48 and 20 in both innings of the Centurion Test.
Rahane got off to a brilliant start on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, as he remained unbeaten on 40, smashing eight boundaries and also made a crucial 73-run partnership with centurion KL Rahul in the final session.
If Rahane is stripped of Test vice-captaincy, senior batter Rohit Sharma is the front runner for the job.
The BCCI and the team management found an "exit route" which was honourable for both the distinguished senior cricketers as everyone associated wanted to be subtle while taking a tough decision, at least for this Test.
Rahane, who has been short of runs for a while now, also praised debutant Shreyas Iyer but did not divulge who would make way for Virat Kohli in the next Test in Mumbai.
In Test matches this year, Rahane has now scored 411 runs in 21 innings at an average of 19.57, with just two half-centuries. A lot was expected of him in the first Test but Rahane registered scores of 35 and 4, resulting in his Test career average going below 40.
Rahane was done in by low bounce when he was expecting the ball from a near 7 feet tall Jamieson to rear up. With 12 Tests without a big score (India might not bat twice), Rahane's record is not reading too well for a stand-in skipper.
By batting at the nets in short spans, against a variety of bowlers, and by doing everything else that is in his control, the seasoned Rahane is bracing up for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, knowing well it could decide his future in the Indian team.
Ajinkya Rahane will lead India in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur, starting November 25, before regular skipper Virat Kohli returns to take charge from the second Test in Mumbai.
Jasprit Bumrah will have to squeeze every ounce of energy from his already overworked body while Ajinkya Rahane will hope to get one final chance when India take on England in the 5th Test.
India batting coach Vikram Rathour has backed struggling Ajinkya Rahane to come good in the next match, saying the time has not come yet to worry about his form.
Pujara might have redeemed himself with a knock of 91 which was high on "intent quotient" but the same can't be said about Rahane, whose form is shaky despite a crucial 61 in the second innings at the Lord's.
With the series now levelled at 1-1 after the Leeds defeat, and with the objective to rest their fast bowlers, here are some of the selection questions for India ahead of the Oval tie
Rahane even laughed off the flak they faced on social media by saying that only "important people" are talked about.
The experienced duo of Pujara and Test vice-captain Rahane have not been at their best of late, averaging in the 20s this year.
With Kohli wanting to stick to his template, focussing more on picking 20 wickets, the middle order needs to deliver in what arguably stands India's best chance to win a series in England.
Vice-captain Rahane has looked out of sorts against the red ball, averaging 19.21 from nine Tests this year.
Gavaskar described Rahane and Pujara as "low-profile" cricketers and said that questions must be asked of the support staff if both the players are getting out in a similar fashion.
Asked, who among bowlers is the best bet with the willow and may be fill-up for Hardik Pandya's absence, Rahane named fellow Mumbaikar Thakur
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