India vs Australia: ‘The new leader has a proven record in Tests’ – Kris Srikkanth lauds skipper Ajinkya Rahane

India vs Australia: ‘The new leader has a proven record in Tests’ – Kris Srikkanth lauds skipper Ajinkya Rahane

Kris Srikkanth and Ajinkya Rahane

Kris Srikkanth and Ajinkya Rahane
Kris Srikkanth and Ajinkya Rahane

Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane took charge to lead the side during the second match against Australia in Virat Kohli’s absence. He did a commendable job as India grabbed the driver’s seat after their bowlers grabbed an early advantage on day one.

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth also hailed Rahane’s aggressive captaincy and tactical changes on the field. He recalled how Rahane led India to a famous test victory at Dharamsala in 2017 against the same opposition. Srikkanth also reckoned that Ajinkya Rahane is a different captain from Virat Kohli as the latter expresses himself in an aggressive mood.

“The new leader Rahane has a proven record in Test matches, like how he led the Indian team in Dharamshala. He has a good record in Tests. As a personality also, he has a calming influence on the players. He is not sort of the likes of Virat Kohli who expresses himself in an aggressive mood,” Srikkanth told ANI.

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“Maybe change in fortune with the captain also and if new ideas are put he might set the different benchmark in the coming Test match. For me, it’s like trying to redeem himself, rediscover or extend his Test match career for Rahane. He is the one player who always looked at the challenges and has done well in those situations.”

‘36 all-out at Adelaide was a nightmare’ – Srikkanth

Australia registered an 8-wicket victory in Adelaide

Kris Srikkanth also talked about the pink-ball Test in Adelaide where the Indian team bundled out for 36. Virat Kohli and co registered the lowest total for the Indians in the history of the game. He recalled the infamous 1974 Lord’s Test where Ajit Wadekar-led Indian side got all out for 42.

“As a cricketer and having played for India and having followed Indian cricket so closely, seeing the lowest score was a shocking thing. The whole cricketing world stood up and said it’s something not looking good from an Indian team perspective because 42 was the first time lowest score we made in 1975,” he said.

“I personally feel it’s like a nightmare… concerned staff around Indian team preparing how they need to prepare for the next Test.”

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