Image Source : GETTY IMAGES The win within the Boxing Day Test on the Melbourne Cricket Ground was additionally outstanding contemplating India had been with out their talismanic batsman Virat Kohli and ace pacers Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami.
Ajinkya Rahane is courageous, sensible, calm and has the respect of his workforce, former Australia skipper Ian Chappell has stated whereas praising India’s stand-in Test captain.
India registered an emphatic eight-wicket win over Australia within the second Test of the continued four-match sequence, days after struggling a humiliating loss on the Adelaide when the workforce acquired bundled out for a mere 36 on the Adelaide Oval.
The win within the Boxing Day Test on the Melbourne Cricket Ground was additionally outstanding contemplating India had been with out their talismanic batsman Virat Kohli and ace pacers Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
Before the MCG Test, Rahane had led India twice and had registered wins on each events.
“It was no surprise that Ajinkya Rahane captained India flawlessly at the MCG; anyone who saw him in charge in Dharamsala in 2017 would have recognised a man born to lead cricket teams,” Chappell wrote in a column for ESPNcricinfo.
“There were a lot of similarities between that 2017 match and the one at the MCG. Firstly it was between the same two highly competitive rivals, then there was the valuable first-innings lower-order contribution from Ravindra Jadeja, and finally Rahane aggressively accumulating the required runs in a nervy pursuit of a moderate victory total,” Chappell wrote.
Rahane scored a superb century within the first innings of the MCG Test after which scored unbeaten 27 as India chased down the 70-run goal with eight wickets in hand.
“…That’s part of Rahane’s success as a skipper: he’s brave and smart. However, there’s much more to his leadership than just those two important qualities. He is calm when things could easily get out of hand,” Chappell stated.
“He has earned the respect of his team-mates, one of the most important aspects of good captaincy. And he gets runs when they are needed, which adds to the respect his team has for him,” he added.
The 77-year-old, who performed 75 Tests for Australia, additional stated India knew that one man could not replicate the “supreme deeds” of Kohli and it was going to take an additional effort from all involved to beat his absence.
“There was Jasprit Bumrah, excelling as usual at the MCG, ambushing batsmen regularly. R Ashwin, with his new-found confidence in Australian conditions, exerted his influence over (Steve) Smith, a vital early wicket that further boosted India’s confidence. Inspired by the seniors, the debutants, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj, made significant contributions as they adjusted quickly to Australian conditions,” stated Chappell.
“Despite those valuable performances, the one that turned the match firmly in India’s favour was the Johnny Mullagh medal-winning contribution from Rahane. The captain’s century came at a time when India could easily have faded to a two-nil deficit, and it was this performance that gave his team the conviction that victory was attainable,” he added.
Chappell said that Rahane’s captaincy is all concerning the workforce.
“At a time when aggressive, proactive international captaincy is in short supply, India are fortunate to have two leaders who both understand the value of taking wickets over containing the opposition.”
Following the Boxing Day Test, India head coach Ravi Shastri had additionally praised Rahane, terming the 32-year-old as a “shrewd leader”.
“He is a very shrewd leader, he has a good understanding of the game and is a good reader of the game,” Shastri had stated. “Virat is very passionate while Ajinkya on the other hand is very calm and composed. It is their characters… Virat is more in your face while Rahane is prepared to sit back in a very calm and composed manner but deep inside he knows what he wants,” he had added.
The four-match sequence is at present tied at 1-1 with the third Test slated to start from Thursday on the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). And Chappell believes India have fewer choice complications than Australia for the remaining two matches.
“This tantalising series is far from over. India still have concerns with yet another fast-bowling injury and an opening batsman in a quandary. However, despite coming off a disastrous collapse in Adelaide, along with the departure of their best batsman and the loss of two leading fast bowlers, India have fewer selection headaches than Australia,” stated Chappell.
“It’s helpful that they have a strong, calm leader and a vibrant spirit that has built up under the Kohli-Rahane-Ravi Shastri coalition. If India do go on to repeat their last tour’s success in Australia, the Mullagh medal won’t be the only gong Rahane receives,” he added.
