Ajinkya Rahane is brave, smart, and born to lead cricket teams, former Australia captain Ian Chappell has heaped praises on India’s stand-in skipper.
India secured an eight-wicket commendable win over Australia in the 2nd Boxing Day Test after losing 1st Test in Adelaide after suffering a batting collapse in 2nd innings.
Ajinkya Rahane Captained India Flawlessly At MCG Like In Dharmasala In 2017: Ian Chappell
The win at MCG is more creditable as India did not had services of Virat Kohli (homebound), Rohit Sharma(hamstring injury), Ishant Sharma(side strain), Mohammad Shami(arm fracture) besides the humiliation of getting bundled out for 36 at the Adelaide Oval still fresh in mind. So it was a brilliant turnaround by India to level the series 1-1.
“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 recognized a man born to lead cricket teams. 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 in his column on ESPN Cricinfo.
“The moment that caught my attention in the Dharamsala match was the time Rahane called on debutant left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav when David Warner and Steve Smith were involved in a century partnership. Yadav quickly claimed the wicket of Warner – expertly caught by Rahane at first slip – and this prompted a five-wicket slide.
“That’s part of Rahane’s success as a skipper: he’s brave and smart. He is calm when things could easily get out of hand. 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.
Ian Chappell said India knew that one cannot replicate the “supreme deeds” of Virat Kohli and it was going to take a herculean effort from all concerned to overcome his absence. He was also impressed with how pacer Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin produced a scintillating performance to boost India’s confidence.
“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 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,” he said.
“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,” Chappell added.
However, Ian Chappell said this “tantalizing series” is far from over but admits India have fewer selection headaches than Australia. He said India particularly Ajinkya Rahane could receive more accolades if they win and retain Border Gavaskar Trophy.
“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. 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,” Chappell concluded.
In the 2nd MCG Test, Australia were bowled out for 195 with Jasprit Bumrah picking 4 scalps. India scored 326 courtesy a valiant 112 innings from Ajinkya Rahane. Australia were dismissed for 200 in 2nd essay before India scored 70 runs losing 2 wickets for an incredible 8 wicket win. Ravindra Jadeja scored 57 in 1st innings besides picking up 5 wickets in two innings with ball. Ajinkya Rahane now has won all his 3 Test matches as captain.