Boxing Day Test: Why Virat Kohli absence could help India
Ajinkya Rahane’s quiet demeanour is in stark contrast to Virat Kohli but he could be the type of captain India needs, writes Robert Craddock.
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Ajinkya Rahane was bullied so much as a small boy he took up karate and became a black belt. No-one pushes him around now.
India may yet miss Virat Kohli the batsman but they are not missing Kohli the captain due to the astonishing deeds of his sturdy stand-in Rahane who may yet orchestrate cricket’s comeback of the century at the MCG.
Rahane and Kohli are as far apart as the North and South Poles but the quieter man is doing a masterful job simply by being himself, first as a captain in the field and then with a serene century.
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His mild, unpretentious century celebration, featuring a brief arm-raise, a skywards glance and a quick smile, said much about the man.
Indian scribes have been saying privately for weeks the side would be better captained when Kohli, back in India to await the birth of his first child, was replaced by Rahane because he was less intense, would delegate authority and help players relax.
It seemed a difficult line to swallow but after just two days we get their point as the man nicknamed “Jinx’’ could instead become a lucky charm.
Rahane, is his own softly, softly sort of way, has somehow exhorted India to play free-spirited cricket, a stunning effort given their 36-run disappearing act in Adelaide.
His calm, unruffled Sunday century will be both unforgettable yet hard to remember because it embodied the style of the man ... understated yet effective, with balls seaming past hit bat getting no more response than a stray boot scratch at the crease.
It’s almost as if his team have been allowed to unbutton their collars while the head prefect is away.
Rahane was a striking to contrast to Kohli as he subtly, skilfully marshalled his forces on day one.
If Rahane snatches a Test or two off Australia it will upend the theory that the captains who shine in Australia are the ones who stare the locals down like Douglas Jardine, Graeme Smith, Faf du Plessis and Kohli himself.
Rahane is regarded as a undemonstrative gentleman of the game – a world apart from the brash Kohli – but don’t confuse humility with timidity.
His first two moves in this Test were the same ones he made on his captaincy debut against Australia in India when Kohli was injured three years ago – he promoted himself to No.4 in the order and chose an extra bowler to maximise India’s chances of winning the Test.
India won that match in 2017 and the series and Rahane graciously allowed Kohli to do the winners press conference, quietly exiting stage left.
“He is a bowlers’ captain,’’ long-serving Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma said of Rahane and we can see why.
Quite often on day one he was seen with his arm around his bowlers in the same compassionate encouraging way that Richie Benaud used to comfort and cajole Alan Davidson through a marathon spell.
Ravi Ashwin was also an interesting study.
The tip from close net-watchers was that Ashwin would perform even better under Rahane than he did under Kohli because he would be able to set his own fields, which he did.
In fact, the fast men seemed to operate as a collective setting their own fields.
Pay the quiet achiever.
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