Ajinkya Rahane’s mentor and coach Pravin Amre said he had butterflies in his stomach before the Boxing Day Test as the alternate Indian skipper was heading to the 2nd Test on the back of the ordinary personal form and scrutiny on the depletion of Virat Kohli in the 1st Test against Australia in Adelaide.
Pravin Amre, speaking to Sports Today, said it was not easy to take responsibility for leading India after the Adelaide horror show, in which visitors were set aside for their lowest test score of 36.
India was canceled after the defeat in Adelaide and the absence of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami made the chances of a comeback in Melbourne seem unlikely. However, Rahane responded to his critics with his leadership and composure as he led Inidia to an emphatic 8-wicket victory.
Ajinkya Rahane scored a hundred wins, but he was also tactically brilliant. With some clever field placements and ready-to-go bowling changes, Rahane made life difficult for Australian hitters, who struggled to get going.
Rahane brought in R Ashwin from the first session on Day 1 after Australia won the toss and opted to hit. Ashwin restored his captain’s faith in him by eliminating Steve Smith by 0. India eliminated Australia by 195 and 200 despite losing pacemaker Umesh Yadav early in the second inning.
“He wanted to be in his place before that second test. The series before New Zealand was there. He didn’t have a great career there. In Adelaide, in the first innings he was involved in the departure of Virat Kohli. In the second inning he was off by 0. I felt butterflies in my stomach, “Amre said.
“It was not an easy task. To get the leadership after that, we could have different leaders in different situations, but the responsible guy will always be the captain. So he handled that responsibility largely because he did his own study.”
“I think he must have done a really good study on Australian hitting. Because Australia is always vulnerable against non-spinners. I felt the first day of the Boxing Day test was critical. He used Ashwin so well. No one expected that in On the first day, the first hour would come an “off-spinner.” I think it’s instinctive. He kept the fielders in the right place, that credit goes to him, “Amre said.
‘Australia will come hard to India in Sydney’
Meanwhile, Amre pointed out that the test series is not over yet and that India has to continue the mentality they show in Melbourne. Amre hopes Australia will come back strong, but says India has nothing to lose and that would give them the freedom to go out and express themselves well.
“They are going to come very hard on us after losing the Boxing Day test. We will be prepared for that. We have nothing to lose. We went there to play 4 test matches. We know Australia is always a tough tour, but what it is. the important thing is how we play, “said Amre.
“The second test gave us confidence that we can play good cricket. If we produce good cricket, the result will be with us.
“As a cricketer, we have to keep it simple. Playing cricket well that day and at that time will help us. We don’t plan to win, we take care of the sessions, we win every hour of the game. That’s what we have to do in Sydney too, Melbourne is now history for us. “
With the series leveled at 1-1, the two teams will meet in Test 3 in Sydney starting January 7.
