Ajinkya Rahane, the interim Indian Captain has come out and stated that it's an absolute honour and a privilege to be a part of the historic occasion of playing Afghanistan's maiden Test match starting this Thursday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With Virat Kohli missing out from the game due to a neck sprain, Ajinkya Rahane was appointed the Captain for the match and he is quite excited about leading the Indian Team again. The injury forced Kohli to withdraw his commitments with Surrey county club as well with whom he was to spend a month playing county cricket. 

Ahead of the much-anticipated encounter, Rahane was all praise for Afghanistan and in an ICC release said, "It's a privilege to be playing in Afghanistan's first Test match. It's a historic moment for them and an opportunity for us to be part of the occasion, They have a fine team and some talented players, who have proved themselves in shorter formats. I am sure they are looking forward to do the same in Test cricket. On behalf of the Indian team, I wish them all the best."

Afghanistan Captain Asghar Stanikzai is also delighted about the occasion. He said, "It's a great moment for us as we embark on our Test journey. To be playing our first Test against India is a great honour and we hope to give a good account of ourselves.

"To be competing against the best on the Test rankings table is something to be proud of and we will try to do our best in whatever chances we get and exhibit the skills the players possess individually as well as collectively as a team." 

(Inputs from ICC)