AUS v IND 2020-21: Virat Kohli backs Ajinkya Rahane to do ‘tremendous job’ as captain in his absence

Rahane will take over as captain from Kohli for the three Tests after Adelaide.

Excitement is increasing as the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, which is to be played in Adelaide, is just a day away. It will be the only Test match that Indian captain Virat Kohli will play on this tour after leaving for India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child.

Kohli had become the first Indian captain ever to win a Test series in Australia when he led India to a 2-1 series win on the 2018-19 tour. In a press conference, Kohli said that his total focus is on the task at hand, the first Test in Adelaide.

"I like to keep things simple. I do not quite carry forward anything from the past. It is very important to stay in the present moment and understand the process you are going through. Last time around, our challenge was different. Starting in Adelaide, we had a goal on our side which we wanted to achieve - we wanted to win, so it was important to start well. The goal remains similar this time as well," Kohli said on Wednesday.

And the captain is confident of India’s chances this time as well and has backed vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane to do a tremendous job in his absence.

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"We have had a lot of mutual understanding over the years. We have had some great partnerships batting together, which is based on trust. Jinks has done a tremendous job in the two practice games. He seems to be very composed and he knows the strengths of our teams and how we need to go about it.

The way we have played the game has been a collective effort. It's a cultural effort and not just me strategizing things and putting things in front of people, it's the whole team that's involved," Kohli said.

Kohli also highlighted the abundance of talent in the young players in the squad and said, “They are obviously very talented and that's why they are here. Shubman (Gill) hasn't got opportunities in Test cricket yet. So, as and when he gets opportunities, it needs to be seen how he goes about things. He is a confident young man.

Prithvi has performed well at Test level, but he will be playing in Australia for the first time, so it's very exciting to see his progress as well. Mayank came around in the last tour and batted brilliantly without any baggage. That's what you expect from the younger guys - just go out there, express themselves, and play fearless cricket.”

Talking about the team combination for the first Test and the possible inclusion of KL Rahul in the team, Kohli refrained from confirming anything but said they had brought their best squad in Australia and will choose from them.

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He said, "It all boils down to the combination. KL is a quality player, and that's why he has been included in the Test squad. We will have to see what combination suits the balance of the team best. Everyone is playing well, they are feeling good. We have a lot of quality players. Someone like Hanuma Vihari has been absolutely solid, he is someone who has grit and character.

KL was brought into the side, understanding that we do have opening options already. When Rohit comes back into the team, we have another opener who is established and is going to start. So, where and how KL fits, is a conversation we have to monitor closely.”

About the challenges of the pink ball in Test cricket and playing in the twilight period of the day, Kohli said, “Pink ball brings in a few more variables like the twilight period. It's a tricky one to bat in that situation. Bowling in the first session as well - you have got to be disciplined. At night, you have more to offer with the ball. That's something we will have to analyze and monitor as we go into the Test match and as we encounter situations changing and unfolding.”

(Sportstar inputs)