With Virat Kohli set to return to India after the first test in Adelaide, Ajinkya Rahane will lead India in the remaining three tests as a substitute captain, and while there has been a lot of uproar around the issue, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that won. There won’t be as much pressure on the substitute team captain.
Gavaskar’s confidence stems from Rahane’s captaincy record in India. He has replaced Kohli twice in the past and has produced winning results both times. He first led India in the fourth round of the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home in Dharamsala after Kohli was ruled out with a shoulder injury. With the series tied 1-1, Rahane led India to an eight-wicket victory to seal the series 2-1.
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“There is no real pressure on Ajinkya Rahane, because the two times he has led the team, he has won. Led against Australia in Dharamshala and won India. He led against Afghanistan and India won. So when it comes to his captaincy, there will be no pressure, ”Gavaskar said on Star Sports’ GAME PLAN.
Gavaskar backs Rahane to lead the team the same way he hits, honestly, while adding that he’s sure the hitter won’t take much of a load knowing that he’ll be the backup captain for India.
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“He knows that at this moment he is the only substitute captain of the 3 test matches. So, I don’t think being a captain or continuing as a captain is going to be part of his thinking at all. He will do the job as honestly as he plays cricket, which means that as a batsman he will go out and try to let Pujara try to get in the opposition and play a few more shots, ”Gavaskar explained.
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