Former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane shared about bluffing everyone with a brave face after taking over as captain after the first Test of the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under. Rahane led a team that had been bowled out for 36, and he said that captaining the side then made him nervous as well. The tour began with the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, where India led by 53 on first innings before being bowled out for 36 on the third morning as well. Australia scored the 90 they needed for the loss of two wickets. Regular captain Virat Kohli flew home for the birth of his first child, so Rahane, his deputy, led the last three Tests and eventually won the series.
Recalling the moment, Rahane said (via NDTV): “I remember one thought in my head about when we lost the game in Adelaide, and then everyone started talking about that ‘India will probably lose 4-0’, and ‘there’s no chance for the Indian team ‘. I was nervous, frankly. I’ll be really honest. But as a sportsman, you get to learn so many things, and the most important learning, and the most important thing for me, was to bluff in front of my teammates, bluff in front of the Aussies, and bluff in front of the media.”
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Ajinkya Rahane further shared his conversation with the Team India players on the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy after he took over as captain from the second Test. A series of injuries to many star players hampered them throughout the tour, but they held their nerves to deliver one of the most memorable performances in Indian cricket history.
“I remember talking to my teammates, and I said, ‘Oh, we are the lucky ones to be here representing our country. There are so many guys wanting to play for India, but at times, luck plays a massive part in our careers’. Let’s forget about the result and the outcome; whatever happens, day four, day five, we will take it. I will take all the responsibility, but let’s enjoy the game and play for each other. It was indeed very special, the Australia tour, for everyone, not just for us the players, but also for the whole nation,” concluded Ajinkya Rahane.
