India vs Australia: ‘His calmness doesn’t mean he is not aggressive’ – Sachin Tendulkar looking forward to Ajinkya Rahane’s ‘different style and strategies’


India vs Australia: ‘His calmness doesn’t mean he is not aggressive’ – Sachin Tendulkar looking forward to Ajinkya Rahane’s ‘different style and strategies’

Ajinkya Rahane and Sachin Tendulkar

Ajinkya Rahane and Sachin Tendulkar
Ajinkya Rahane and Sachin Tendulkar

After skipper Virat Kohli headed back home for the birth of his first child, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is slated to take over the reins of the side for the rest of the Test series. Coming off a comprehensive eight-wicket loss in the series opener, Rahane has his work cut out as the leader of the pack. Although Rahane has led the side to victory in the format twice before, it will be a different ball game altogether with as many as three Tests to come.

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But former India captain Sachin Tendulkar is confident that his fellow Mumbai batter will rise to the occasion. Tendulkar adds that Rahane’s calm demeanour shouldn’t be mistaken for submission. The batting maestro everyone has a different way of approaching the game.

Ajinkya has led India earlier also, and his calmness doesn’t mean he is not aggressive. Each person has his way of showing aggression. Someone who doesn’t show aggression doesn’t mean he’s not aggressive. (Cheteshwar) Pujara, for example, is very calm and composed; his body language is into the game, focussed. But that doesn’t mean that Pujara is trying any less than anyone else,” Tendulkar told the Business Standard.

I can assure you everyone’s destination is one

India cricket team

Tendulkar goes on to add that no matter the personality of the player, everyone is striving to win in the Indian side. He shares that Rahane brings a different approach to the table. And it is up to the team management how they plan to use it to their advantage. The team selection of the visitors, following the Adelaide debacle, has been the talk of the town. A big shakeup is expected in the side ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

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Each person has his own way of reacting and responding to situations, but I can assure you everyone’s destination is one; they’ve different routes to get there — and that is how they can make India win. So, Ajinkya’s would be a different style, different strategies. That is up to the team management — how they plan, how the pitch plays, and what our batting and bowling line-ups would be.

Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the series with a fracture in the arm. With their best batsman and premier pacer missing, India will have to toil hard to level the series. The visitors remarkably won 2-1 on their last tour to Australia in 2018-19 and will be looking repeat their past heroics sans their charismatic leader.

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