Team India were bowled out for their lowest-ever score of 36 in their second innings in the eight-wicket loss to Australia in the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval.
With regular skipper Virat Kohli returning home for the birth of his first child, Ajinkya Rahane will now have to take the onus of inspiring the team to script a turnaround.
Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, India pacer Ishant Sharma has hailed Rahane as a "bowler's captain" and expects the latter to help the visitors bounce back in the series.
"He's very confident and I must say he's a bowler's captain," Ishant, who missed the tour with a side strain injury, told ESPNcricinfo.
"We've played so many times together. Whenever Virat was not there, he'd ask me 'What kind of field you want? When you want to bowl? Do you want to go on (bowling)?'
"He's a bowler's captain. He's not someone who'd say 'do this or do that'."
Ishant also praised Rahane, who led India to Test victories against Australia and Afghanistan in the past, for his calmness on the field.
"If there's a partnership growing and it's a flat phase when fielders are just going through their motions, one player's energy level can change the scenario," he said.
"The kind of energy Virat brings to the table ... not everyone can match that. Jinx (Rahane) spreads calm energy in a pressure situation. There won't be any tension, he'd communicate with the bowlers very well."
The second Test will be played in Melbourne from December 26, followed by games in Sydney and Brisbane.
(Inputs from Reuters)
