Rahane is a born leader, says Chappell
IAN CHAPPELL was not surprised to see Ajinkya Rahane captain India flawlessly to a series-levelling triumph against Australia in the Melbourne Test as he feels the Mumbaikar comes across a “born leader”, capable of being both smart and brave.
Under Rahane, India made a remarkable comeback in Melbourne after their humiliating loss in the first Test in Adelaide, winning by eight wickets. Rahane is stand-in for regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is on paternity leave.
‘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 his column for ESPNcricinfo.
In that match, India had beaten Australia by eight wickets in the fourth Test to wrap up the series 2-1. Rahane remained not out on 38 in India’s run chase just like at the MCG after scoring 46 in the first innings.
‘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. ‘This is a brave move’
I thought, and it turned out to be a very smart one,’ he recalled.
Yadav quickly claimed the wicket of Warner, caught by Rahane at first slip, and that prompted a five-wicket slide for Australia to lose the match.
‘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,’ said the former captain, who is a respected figure in world cricket.