Virat Kohli is the talk of the town after he left the series to be with his family taking paternity leave. Fans are divided in opinions with some agreeing with his decision and some with the disagreement of leaving the national duty.
India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will step into the leadership role for the next three Tests against Australia in Virat Kohli’s absence. Ajinkya Rahane usually seen relaxed and calm throughout his career faces an uphill task in reversing India’s fortunes after their biggest loss in the first Test.
Kris Srikkanth Believes That Rahane’s Composure Could Work In India’s Favour
The absence of Kohli means that Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have to take greater responsibility in terms of scoring runs against a strong Australia’s bowling attack. As far as his captaincy’s records go, Rahane has a perfect record, winning two Tests as captain.
Kris Srikkanth pointed out that Ajinkya Rahane is a proven leader in Test cricket alongside an encouraging record in the format
“The new leader Rahane has a proven record in Test matches, like how he led the Indian team in Dharmshala. He has a good record in Test. As a personality also he has a calming influence on the players, he is not sort of the likes of Virat Kohli who expresses himself in an aggressive mod. Maybe change in fortune with the captain also and if new ideas put he might set the different benchmark in the coming Test match,” Srikkanth said as quoted by News Indian Express.
The 61-year old believes that if Rahane does well as the skipper, it does give the selectors plenty to think about. It’s too early to say because the track record of Virat is by far one of the best in Indian history as a captain. I won’t look at that way but if Rahane can establish himself as a Test match captain in absence of Kohli, I think it gives an option for the Indian selector and Indian team to look at,” he added.
India is in commanding option as the captain is seen leading from the front scoring hundred and helping India with 82 runs lead. Rahane and Jadeja are still on the crease to extend the lead and take the game away from the hand of Australia to level the series 1-1.
