India vs Australia: ‘Be positive, play to your strength, play as a team’ – Ajinkya Rahane reveals Virat Kohli’s last message before heading back
Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli
India captain Virat Kohli has returned home for the birth of his child. Kohli left the side in a crucial moment as the side is trying to put the Adelaide nightmare behind them. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will be leading the side in Kohli’s absence. And he has the momentous task of turning around his side’s fortune after a disastrous start. Before heading back home, the skipper had a pep talk with the side who will be trying to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Rahane shared Virat’s message for the team ahead of the Boxing Day Test. The stand in captain shares that Kohli urged his side to be positive and stick together following a poor performance. The captain went on to advice the players to help each other out in the middle. And Rahane couldn’t agree more as he adds that it is all about staying in the moment and cherishing each other’s success as a team.
“Virat spoke to all of us before leaving. We had our team dinner in Adelaide, so he spoke to all of us about being positive and playing to our strength, play as a team, play as a unit. That’s what we were doing for so many years and it’s all about that. It’s all about staying in the moment, playing for each other and enjoying each other’s success, help each other out on the field,” Rahane told in a video shared by BCCI.
Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj set to debut at MCG
India have declared their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test. And they have made four changes to the side which succumbed to an eight-wicket loss in Adelaide. The young duo of Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj are set to make their Test debut at the iconic MCG tomorrow. Gill comes into the side replacing a struggling Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order. While Siraj comes in as a forced change following Mohammed Shami‘s injury.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja replaces captain Kohli in the side for the crucial encounter. Jadeja missed the first Test owing to a hamstring strain he picked up in the T20 series. Rishabh Pant has been included in the side for the Boxing Day Test replacing Wriddhiman Saha. Saha was picked ahead of the Delhi lad for the series opener owing to his superior glovework. But the Bengal wicketkeeper disappointed both with the bat and glove ultimately losing his place in the side.
Anshuman Mahapatra
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