Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Ajinkya Rahane revealed that Rahul Dravid talked to him earlier than the facet left for Australia from Dubai.
Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid is usually credited as one of many key contributors in laying the muse of the present Indian crew. A lot of children who had been a part of the successful Indian Test crew within the recently-concluded tour of Australia had been coached by Dravid in age-group and home ranges (India U-19 and India A).
Ajinkya Rahane, who led India to a wonderful 2-1 sequence win within the absence of Virat Kohli, has now recalled a phone-call from Dravid forward of the facet’s departure to Australia. Rahane revealed the dialog with Dravid, and in addition identified that the previous Indian captain advised him to “not bat a lot” within the web periods.
“Rahul bhai actually called me before the series, when we were leaving to Australia from Dubai. He said, ‘Don’t take any stress, I know you are leading the team after the first Test. Don’t worry about anything, just be strong mentally. Don’t bat a lot in the nets’, [which is] unlike Rahul bhai,” Rahane advised Harsha Bhogle in an interplay.
“Rahul bhai loves batting, and he was like ‘that is the error I did’. He stated, ‘Don’t bat so much within the nets, your preparation is de facto good, you are batting so properly. So, do not take any strain. Just take into consideration how you’ll lead the crew, how you’ll give confidence to the gamers. Don’t fear concerning the consequence, it should handle itself’.
“That conversation really made it easy, Rahul bhai telling me to not bat a lot in the nets. It was really good.”
India confronted a humiliating defeat within the first Test of the sequence because the facet was bowled out on 36 within the second innings, however made an unimaginable comeback to defeat Australia 2-1. The facet secured wins in Melbourne and Brisbane, and held the hosts to a formidable attract Sydney.
The facet additionally inflicted a primary defeat on Australia in 32 years on the Gabba, whereas registering a maiden Test win on the venue.
Team India will return to motion on Feburary 5 with a four-Test sequence in opposition to England, which is able to mark the return of worldwide cricket to the nation for the primary time because the sport got here to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic. The first two Tests will happen in Chennai, whereas the remaining two are scheduled to happen on the revamped Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Virat Kohli will return to the Indian crew as captain, whereas Rahane will resume his position as vice-captain within the longest format of the sport.