A Characteristic heir of Captain Cool finally arrives

A Characteristic heir of Captain Cool finally arrives: Today, the Indian selectors announced the 15-man Indian squad for the Zimbabwe limited overs series starting from 10th July. Although, the exclusion of senior players on account of rest was inevitable but when the middle-order Indian batsmen Ajinkya Rahane was handed over the reins of captaincy, then it ranged the doorbells of surprise and shock in the minds of many.

If we go back to the recent series loss to the Bangladeshi side at their own backyard. We realize that the same Ajinkya Rahane was not even considered worthy by the management and captain to play in the final XI. The decision had its detractors when many cricket experts and fans scrutinized the decision in absolute astonishment. Then, Dhoni had asserted that Rahane lacks the versatility to play in the middle-order in sub-continental conditions, on slower pitches. But a few days after the call, the selection committee has selected him to lead the side, even though only few days a back, even his place in the side was not guaranteed. Somehow, it indicates to the possible state of confusion and uncertainty in the mindset of the management and the national selectors.

Rahane has been in the form of his life which even transpired him to the precious laurel of Indian Ceat cricketer of the year. Over the past few months, he has transformed himself into one of the burly pillars of the side across all the formats of the game. He has stamped his authority on world cricket with his Midas touch in alien overseas conditions and has been one of the leaders of Indian batting, who has always raised his hand in times of struggle and tribulations. No one can rule out the effect of the Indian Wall: Rahul Dravid on this young Mumbaikar. Under his mentorship in Rajasthan Royals franchisee, he has grown in leaps and bounds.

One thing is for sure that this man possesses a cool and calm persona armoring his fighting characteristics of a warrior. Who can forget that intimidating green looking top at Lord’s which was never seen before and in which most of the Indian batters faltered against the treacherous English seam bowlers but this man inscribed his name on the honors board with a classical century. He is a perfect team-man and his Captain MS Dhoni also hails his ever self-less personality. These have been the prime factors which have seemingly stimulated the selectors to groom Rahane as a possible next generation leader.

After the dreadful loss to Bangladesh, the series against the Zimbabwean is going to be enormous. Mind you, the Zimbabwean side has performed considerably well in their own backyard and they will probe many questions on this second string Indian side. Rahane will now have to be extra careful as with greater power comes greater responsibility. Now, only time would tell how he fares up in his first assignment as the Indian skipper in command.

Meanwhile, today he also became the 23rd Indian national captain. He also hails from the land of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar- Mumbai. Rahane has carried forward the legacy of glorious cricketing tradition of Mumbai. He is now the 6th Mumbaikar to rise to the ultimate glory and honor of captaining the Indian National cricket team. While after Tendulkar, he is the first Mumbaikar to become the national skipper. So far, Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, and Sachin Tendulkar have been led from the potent land of Mumbai.