Rahane captained India to 2-1 Test series win over Australia in Australia.
Team India’s stand-in skipper for Australia tour Ajinkya Rahane reacted to special praise by Former India skipper and a legend of the game Bishen Singh Bedi and said that the compliments from the legend mean a lot to him and he respects it.
India under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane managed to clinch the four-match Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia by 2-1 despite the absence of their regular captain Virat Kohli and losing their first-choice players to injuries.
However ever since Ajinkya Rahane led Team India to a historic Test series win in Australia, Kohli's future as Test captain has been in debate over the past few days as some cricket fans as well as few pundits, want Ajinkya Rahane to take over Test captaincy from Virat Kohli.
“Virat was and will always be the captain of the Test team”, says Ajinkya Rahane
A few experts believe that Rahane should be made the permanent captain while Virat Kohli should continue contributing to the team as a batsman.
Insinuating everyone with his leadership qualities Ajinkya Rahane received quite a few compliments from many cricket experts across the globe including former Indian skipper Bishan Singh Bedi, who compared Rahane to another iconic leader, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi as some term him the best Test captain India has ever had.
Replying to the legend’s compliment Ajinkya Rahane said that he just humbly accept the compliments and added that his aim is to do well for the country.
“It’s all just sinking in. The compliments from the legends means a lot and I respect it. I respect what the critics say too. You have to take it in your stride. You can’t get over-confident. I just humbly accept the compliments.
My aim is to do well for my country and keep improving as a cricketer, whether as a captain or a vice-captain, or a player. I believe that every time we step on the field there is an opportunity to do something special for the country. So it’s all just sinking in. It is a really proud moment.,” Ajinkya Rahane told Indian Express.
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Rahane also opened up on the rumblings about his elevation to the role of permanent captain of the side. He said that he and Virat share the same goals and the roles have returned to what they were before the 2nd Test in Australia.
“We both are really good friends. We just want to do well for the country. Let me tell you, Virat is the captain now and I am the vice-captain. The situation is back to what it was. He is the captain and I am vice-captain, and I am enjoying my role.
"When Virat left after the Adelaide match, my aim was similar to his — to do well for my country and to get the best out of every player. We both are really close and really good friends… I am happy to take a back-seat in the England series and continue,” he concluded.
With Virat Kohli back in the side, Ajinkya Rahane will return to his vice captain’s role against England in a four-match Test series starting 5th February.
(Indian Express Inputs)