The Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri showered praises on the stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane after he led the side to a memorable 8-wicket win over Australia on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Tuesday. Resuming on their overnight score of 133 for 6, the host added 67 runs in the extended session on Day 4 setting a target of 70 runs to India and the visitors chased down the score 16 overs with Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane remaining unbeaten on 35 and 27 respectively.

With this result, Rahane became the 2nd Indian skipper after MS Dhoni to win his first 3 games as the visitors leveled the four-match series 1-1 and avenged their humiliating loss by 8 wickets in Adelaide last week. The match belonged to Rahane, who took over the captaincy after the wreckage in Adelaide, with regular skipper Virat Kohli returning to India for the birth of his first child.

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Talking about Rahne’s captaincy after the match, Shastri said, “Ajinkya Rahane is a shrewd leader, has a good understanding of the game. He was a calming influence for the debutants and the bowlers. Both Kohli and Rahane are good readers of the game. Kohli is passionate and in your face. Ajinkya is prepared to sit back in a calm and composed manner. Deep inside, he knows what he wants.”

Rahane’s 112 in India’s first innings played a crucial role for India as none of the Australian batsmen managed to score more than 48 runs individually in this match. Shastri also pointed out the same and termed Rahane’s knock as the turning point of the 2nd Test.

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Ravi Shastri explained, “Ajinkya Rahane’s innings was the turning point. The discipline on such a big stage. Captain of the team, bat at No. 4, on probably the toughest day to bat as it was overcast. He batted for 6 hours… unbelievable concentration. What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team. Couldn’t be happier for the boys and specially Jinks who led the team to victory amazingly. Onwards and upwards from here.”