Ajinkya Rahane had impressed one and all with his shrewd captaincy during the recently held Test series in Australia.
Team India had faced a lot of flak after being bowled out for 36 during their 8-wicket loss in the opening Test at the Adelaide Oval. Furthermore, regular skipper Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave after the first Test while a number of key players sustained injuries through the course of the series.
Despite the setbacks, the visiting team under Rahane’s leadership bounced back brilliantly to register a 2-1 series victory with emphatic wins in Melbourne and Brisbane.
On the eve of the first Test against England in Chennai, India captain Kohli said his camaraderie with Rahane is based on trust and also hailed his deputy for fulfilling his responsibility with “flying colours” Down Under.
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“Not just Jinks and me, the camaraderie of the whole team is based on trust and all of us are working towards only one goal and that is to see India win.
“I would like to mention, he fulfilled his responsibility in Australia with flying colours, it was amazing to see him lead the team towards victory, which has always been our goal,” Virat said during a virtual media interaction on February 4.
Kohli believes that his bonding with Rahane off the field also helps in their on-field relationship.
“Me and Jinks, we have always enjoyed batting with each other. It’s quite evident on the field that we share mutual respect. There is bonding off the field also. We do chat a lot, stay in touch and it’s a relation based on trust.”
Rahane’s valuable inputs have always been something that the skipper looks forward to in a match situation.
“He is always been someone who has had the capability and capacity to give inputs at different stages, and we do have discussions on the field towards where the game is heading.”
Kohli also revealed that there have been times when he went up to Rahane to get more clarity and perspective.
“I go and discuss a lot of things with him to get more clarity and perspective other than me focussing on team plans. That’s how we work together. That’s the massive reason for success of Indian team in Test format.
“That partnership will be the same as it has been, mindset for me, him and everyone remains to take Indian cricket forward,” the skipper said.
(With PTI inputs)
