NEW DELHI (INDIA) – Seamer Ishant Sharma said Ajinkya Rahane’s calm leadership will come in handy in the team’s bid to bounce back in the four-test series against Australia as he is a “bowler’s captain”.
Regular skipper Virat Kohli left Australia to attend the birth of his first child after India’s eight-wicket rout in the series-opener in Adelaide inside three days.
Unlike Kohli, Rahane maintains a low profile on the field and the bowlers are likely to be consulted more in the last three tests under him, said Ishant.
“He’s very confident and I must say he’s a bowler’s captain,” said the right-arm bowler, who could not take part in the tour due to a side strain injury.
“We’ve played so many times together. Whenever Virat was not there, he’d ask me ‘What kind of field you want? When you want to bowl? Do you want to go on (bowling)? He’s a bowler’s captain. He’s not someone who’d say ‘do this or do that’.”
The 32-year-old player said, Rahane who led India to test victories against Australia and Afghanistan earlier, often acts as a bridge between the bowlers and Kohli.
Ishant said, while it was nearly impossible to match Kohli’s energy on the field, Rahane’s composed presence could help India during pressure situations. “If there’s a partnership growing and it’s a flat phase when fielders are just going through their motions, one player’s energy level can change the scenario,” he said.
“The kind of energy Virat brings to the table … not everyone can match that. Jinx (Rahane) spreads calm energy in a pressure situation. There won’t be any tension, he’d communicate with the bowlers very well.”
The second test is scheduled in Melbourne from Dec. 26 followed by matches in Sydney and Brisbane.
