Team India earned an amazing Test series win down under, as they defeated Australia 2-1 in the four-Test series. This was the second consecutive time India achieved this feat against Australia and this time, they did it with most of their first-choice players out injured and regular captain returning home after the first Test.
Virat Kohli played in the Adelaide Test alone, which India lost by 8 wickets, after being bowled out for 36- their lowest Test score in an inning. Ajinkya Rahane took over as captain in Kohli’s absence and helped India win the second Test in Melbourne, earning a fighting draw in Sydney and breaching the fortress at Brisbane, pocketing the series 2-1.
R Ashwin, who picked 12 wickets in 3 Tests, including getting the prized scalp of Steve Smith thrice in the series, sheds light on the different captaincy styles of Kohli and Rahane.
“I am totally blown away by the kind of comparisons people like to make when it comes to captaincy. I feel this Indian team has had some wonderful results in the past because of quality players and human beings in the dressing room. Virat is more expressive, communicative, and in your face, while Rahane doesn't do these three things. But the way they captain the side is pretty much similar,” he was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Ashwin also spoke about being overlooked for vice-captaincy when Kohli left and Pujara was named vice-captain and then Rohit took over the role on his return.
“I am not at all disappointed. I go out there and make my own plans and get my fields that I want. The captains and vice-captains that I have played with have been very supportive of whatever I have wanted. Leadership is also about leading yourself and keeping your space upbeat for any situation that arises. If you can help another teammate that's also leadership,” he said.
He was then asked about his preparations for the upcoming England Test series, with the first two Tests scheduled in his home ground of MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He is also 23 wickets shy of the 400 Test wickets milestone.
“Had you asked me this question some time ago, I would have said yes. But not now. Once I crossed 200 Test wickets, I stopped looking at milestones. England is coming with an amazing preparation in Sri Lanka where the wicket has spun over the last two Tests.
When we beat them 4-0 last time, they played amazingly but the results did not go in their favor. We were just too good on a lot of occasions. England is one of the teams who come well-prepared for a Test series,” he said.
Talking about his form and bowling in the Australia Test series, Ashwin said that he limited himself to a certain number of balls (in practice) instead of experimenting a lot.
“Before the Adelaide game, I limited myself to a certain number of balls (in practice) because I just wanted to go there and get a feel of things. It didn't look like I was going to start the series in all honesty.
But Jadeja damaged his hamstring and that is why I got my opportunity in the first Test. Things fell in place and I also have been feeling over the last two years that I have been bowling well. Yes, 2018-19 (series in Australia) was good, but I think 2020-21 was one of the best if you compare the last three years,” he said.
(Times of India inputs)
