Former Pakistan captain and veteran batter Salman Butt heaped praise on the Indian skipper Virat Kohli for backing struggling Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Rahane's recent form with the bat has left many questioning his place in the India Test team, as the right-hander averages only 24.39 in his last 16 Test matches with many calling to replace the veteran batter with the young blood ahead of the three-match Test series in South Africa.
However, Kohli had made it clear that the outside noise will not impact the decision of the team management and backed Rahane after India won the second and final Test against New Zealand recently at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Butt said on his YouTube channel, “One of the most valuable reasons behind Team India's success under the captaincy of Virat Kohli is backing his players, especially when they most need them.
Not just Kohli, pick any good captain in world cricket, they will always back their proven player, who is now going through a lean phase. And when such players are backed during their time of struggle, with the amount of confidence the player gains they come out stronger and produce unthinkable results.”
He also reminded fans about Rahane's credentials as an overseas batter and captain having led the Indian side to Test series victory in Australia earlier this year in the absence of big players including Kohli.
Butt signed off by saying, “In cases when the player has top-class credentials, has helped script unbelievable victories, or has performed well under pressure, you have to back them. And this is the reason why he is such a successful captain. He trusts his players, backs him through thick and thin. And that is why players respond. And he is the vice-captain of the Indian team, who led the Indian side to victory in Australia in the absence of Kohli and has performed as a batsman as well.”
