Having impressed everyone with his leadership and batting class in the Boxing Day Test against Australia, India's stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane said he believes in captaining by "instinct". 

Rahane made his 12th Test century to help India reach a total of 326 and earn a crucial 131-run lead in the first innings. The skipper had earlier on led the team brilliantly in dismissing the Aussies for just 195. 

Read Also: Sunil Gavaskar says Ajinkya Rahane's ton will remain etched in Indian cricket history 

Speaking to host broadcaster 'Channel 7' after the play on Day 3 where the tourists took a giant stride towards a series-levelling win by reducing the hosts to 133/6, Rahane gave away what makes him tick while captaining. 

"Captaincy is all about backing your instinct. You’ve got to back your gut feeling. Sometimes it goes your way but sometimes it doesn't," he said. "Credit to the bowlers, they bowled in the right areas." 

Rahane also talked about his personal milestone, the patient and restraint knock of 112. While acknowledging it as a "special" innings, Rahane stressed the hundred in the 2014 Lord's Test still remain closer to his heart. 

"It was really special," he said. "Getting a century always is. Still feel that my hundred against England at Lord’s is my best. This game is not over yet, still have to get four more wickets."

Rahane's cool and calm attitude was on show even after the end of his knock as he patted Ravindra Jadeja on the back after getting run-out on his partner's call. In a similar instance, India's regular captain Virat Kohli had gotten out when Rahane had called him for a quick single in the previous Test in Adelaide. 

"I initially thought I was in. I told Jadeja not to worry about my run out and to keep doing well," he said. "Unfortunately I couldn't make it big (after the Kohli run out). I said sorry to him after the day. It happens in cricket."

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting had praised Rahane for leading the side admirably in Kohli's absence and guiding a resurgent Indian team. 

"I think he’s done a great job to pick up the pieces from Adelaide with this team, lead really well in the field yesterday and you can see he’s playing like a captain now as well," Ponting had told cricket.com.au. 

"He wants to play that captain’s knock; he wants to get a hundred in Virat’s absence and do the best thing he can to try and drag his country and his team back into this series."

"Virat will be captain of India as long as he wants to, but if he thinks standing down is going to make him an even better player, then that’s a scary thing for world cricket."

"I’m not doubting Kohli’s captaincy skills or credentials at all, I’m just saying it’s going to take something special to pick up the pieces and Rahane’s been able to do that so far. I don’t think there’ll be pressure from anywhere else for Kohli to do that but let’s wait and see," he added.