Ajinkya Rahane, who led the Indian team to a historic Test series win in Australia, returned home to a hero’s welcome. Apart from his batting and inspiring captaincy, his off-field gestures, whether it be presenting a signed jersey to Nathan Lyon on his 100th Test or refusing to cut a cake with a kangaroo on it, also made the headlines and earned him widespread praise.
In an interview with cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, Rahane revealed that he decided not to cut that cake because “kangaroo is their national animal” and it is important to respect the opposition and their sentiments regardless of a series win or loss.
ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra Predicts 5 Most Expensive Buys Of IPL 2021 Auction
Describing the same during the chat with Bhogle, Ajinkya Rahane said, “Kangaroo is their national animal. I don’t want to do that. You give your opposition respect, you treat them well even if you win or even if you create history. You have to have that respect for your opponent, you have to have that respect for other countries. That is why I took the decision not to cut the cake with a kangaroo on it.”
Rahane, in the interview, also spoke about the game plan the Indian team went in with on the final day of the Gabba Test, with 324 required to win the game.
Elaborating the same, Ajinkya Rahane said, “Roles were completely clear… just backing their own individual game. I remember when Pujara was batting and I walked in, I told him you just play the way you like, you play your normal game. I am just going to attack and play positive cricket. If I can 30-40 quick runs here, we have a game in hand. Because I was thinking in my head that if we have to get 140-160 runs in 38-40 overs, we have the game in our hands.”
ALSO READ: David Warner Shares A Picture Of Indi Wearing Jersey Gifted By Kohli
Rahane along with other members of the Indian team are currently in quarantine in Chennai ahead of the Test series against England. Virat Kohli has come back to lead the squad when the first Test begins on February 5 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium
