Bluff worked: How Ajinkya Rahane rallied India after 36 years in Australia

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has revealed how he bluffed his teammates, Australia and the media to keep the team’s confidence alive after India’s humiliating collapse for 36 in Adelaide during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rahane admitted he was nervous when he took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli, but said putting on a brave face helped India turn their fortunes around.

India suffered an 8-wicket defeat in the first Test in Adelaide after being bowled out for their lowest Test total of 36. When Kohli returned home after the match, Rahane was entrusted to lead the team faces widespread doubt about its chances of competing in Australia.

“I remember one thought in my head, when we lost the game in Adelaide and then everyone started talking about ‘India is likely to lose 4-0’ and ‘there is no chance for the Indian team…'” Rahane said during a panel discussion at an event called ‘Beyond Boundaries’.

The event marked the unveiling of the Indian men’s blind cricket team’s kit for November’s Asia Cup.

“I was nervous, honestly. I’ll be really honest. But as an athlete you can learn so many things and the most important learning and the most important learning for me was to bluff in front of my teammates, bluff in front of the Australians and (and) bluff in front of the media.

“I know the media people are here, but I think the bluff really worked,” he said.

RAHANE’S MESSAGE TO THE TEAM

Rahane said maintaining a confident look was crucial as injuries continued to debilitate the Indian team. The visitors eventually reached the final test at the Gabba with a depleted group, but the stand-in captain wanted his teammates to focus on representing the country rather than worrying about the result.

“For me, when I showed in front of my team-mates that two or three players were injured after every game and finally at the Gabba, we only had 11 players,” he recalled.

“I remember talking to my teammates and saying, ‘Oh, we’re lucky to be here representing our country. There are so many guys who want to play for India, but sometimes luck plays a huge role in our careers.

“So let’s play for those guys who never got a chance to play for India, (and for those) who wanted to play for India in the future.”

“‘Let’s forget about the result and the result, whatever happens, day four, day five, we’ll take it. I’ll take all the responsibility, but let’s enjoy the game, play for each other’,” he added.

Rahane recalled the tour of Australia as a special experience, especially as it unfolded during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It was really, really special, touring Australia, for everyone, not just for us players, but also for the whole nation. Going through the times of Covid – a tough time – and then quarantine, staying at home for 14 days and then training hard,” he recalled.

The approach paid off handsomely. Rahane scored a match-winning 112 in the second Test in Melbourne as India leveled the series with an eight-wicket victory. They then drew the Sydney Test before achieving a historic three-wicket win at the Gabba, making 328 to wrap up the series 2-1. The win ended Australia’s 32-year unbeaten run in Test cricket in Brisbane.

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