"Most important thing for me was to bluff" - Former India batter recalls being 'nervous' while taking over captaincy from Virat Kohli in iconic series

Former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane opened up 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 inherited a team that had been bowled out for 36, and he admits now that captaining the side then made him nervous.

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. Australia knocked off the 90 they needed for the loss of two wickets.

Regular skipper Virat Kohli flew home for the birth of his first child, so Rahane, his deputy, led the last three Tests.

Recalling the moment when he took over as captain, 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."

Under Rahane, India turned things around and won two of the final three Tests to seal the four-match series 2-1.

"Let's forget about the result and the outcome" - Ajinkya Rahane on his conversation with teammates in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Ajinkya Rahane further recalled 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 star players hampered the visitors throughout the tour, but they held firm 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," recalled Rahane (via the aforementioned source).

Rahane's 112 in the second Test in Melbourne kickstarted India's comeback in the series, and they never looked back, delivering one of the most improbable results in recent memory.

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