Ajinkya Rahane Ravi Shastri. Image Credits: AFP
Ajinkya Rahane, despite not being India’s regular captain, led the national team to a historic Test series win in Australia back in early 2021. The seasoned middle-order batter was tasked to lead the side in the absence of then regular skipper Virat Kohli.
A few months after India’s monumental victory, Rahane alleged that he was not given his due credit for the team’s achievement. Moreover, while speaking on an episode of ‘Backstage with Boria’, the cricketer claimed that ‘someone else’ took the credits for the decisions he made in the series as captain.
Ajinkya Rahane’s four-year-old remarks resurfaced on the internet once again after fellow former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin indirectly credited Rohit Sharma for ‘Player of the Match’ Rishabh Pant’s heroics in the series-deciding Gabba Test.
When Ajinkya Rahane accused others of taking credit
Ajinkya Rahane led Team India to a historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia back in early 2021 to retain the ‘Border-Gavaskar’ Trophy. A year after the series, the cricketer revealed that he was not happy to see others taking credit for his decisions on the tour.
While speaking on ‘Backstage with Boria’, he said “I know what I've done there. I don't need to tell anyone. That's not my nature to go and take credit. Yes, there were some things that I took the decisions on the field or in the dressing room but someone else took the credit for it.”
Also Read- Rohit Sharma Not In Gambhir's 2027 World Cup Squad; Replacement Picked
Rahane added “After that, the reactions from people or those who took credit or what was said on the media, 'I did this' or 'This was my decision', or 'This was my call', it was for them to talk about.”
Ravi Ashwin credits Rohit Sharma for Rishabh Pant heroics
Compatible to Ajinkya Rahane’s claims, fellow BGT series winner Ravichandran Ashwin indirectly credited then struggling opener Rohit Sharma for the batting heroics of blistering wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the series-deciding Gabba Test.
With Team India requiring 328 on the final day of the Test, Ashwin claimed that then head coach Ravi Shastri wanted to go for a draw. However, then opener and future captain Rohit Sharma wanted Rishabh Pant to go for the target.
While speaking on ESPNCricinfo awards, Ravichandran Ashwin said “We were having that weather blogging on one side and the other side with Ravi bhai’s ups and downs. That’s the beauty of Test cricket. In the latter part of the game, Rohit wanted Rishabh to go for the win. Ravi bhai wanted to play for the draw, and it just kept flowing for the next two hours. Great Test match.”
When Ajinkya Rahane led India to historic win
Ajinkya Rahane was named captain of Team India after regular skipper Virat Kohli flew out of Australia to be with his family for the birth of his child. Under the leadership of Kohli, India succumbed to a demoralizing eight-wicket loss at the Adelaide Oval, largely owing to the team’s second innings mishap of 36 all out.
With Rahane taking over, India won the second Test at the MCG by eight wickets to level the series. The visitors also wrested a fighting draw at the SCG in January 2021 owing to a marathon Day 5 partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari.
In the fourth Test, Team India was required to chase down a record target of 328 runs on the final day. While Rohit Sharma fell for just seven early in the innings, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant struck enterprising half-centuries and Cheteshwar Pujara coped multiple body blows to steer the visitors to a thrilling three-wicket win with minutes to spare.
Captain Rahane himself belted 24 runs from 22 balls to initiate Indian aggression after the fall of Gill.
Also Read- How RCB Can Win IPL Final Without Playing A Single Ball?
