Virat Kohli was and will always be the captain of the Test team, and I am his deputy: Ajinkya Rahane

India managed to clinch the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia by 2-1 despite the absence of their captain Virat Kohli and losing their key players to injuries. While this was a moment of pride for the whole country and stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, it stirred a debate in the cricket fraternity on who among Kohli and Rahane should lead India in the purest format of the game.

A few experts believe that Rahane should be made the permanent captain while Virat should continue contributing to the team as a batsman. Rahane finally opened up on the whole fiasco stating that Virat will always be his captain and he is happy to essay the leadership role whenever the captain is not present.

“Nothing changes. Virat was and will always be the captain of the Test team, and I am his deputy. When he was absent it was my duty to lead the side and my responsibility to give my best for Team India’s success,” Ajinkya Rahane said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

When I was going through a bad patch, my captain boosted my morale: Ajinkya Rahane

Both Virat and Rahane share a close bond and have scripted a lot of memorable partnerships on the field to take India home in crucial games. When asked about his relationship with the skipper, the 32-year-old asserted that they respect each other’s game and are always willing to contribute positively for the team.

“He has time and again praised my batting. Both of us played memorable knocks for our team in India and overseas conditions. It only helps that Virat comes at No.4 and myself at No.5. We have had a lot of partnerships. We have always backed each other’s games. When we are at the crease, we discuss threadbare about the opposition’s bowling. We caution each other whenever one of us plays a rash shot,” Rahane reckoned.

Apart from describing Virat Kohli as a sharp leader who takes good on-field decisions, Rahane said that it was comforting for him to have the backing of his captain when he was going through a rough phase with the willow.

“When I was going through a bad patch, my captain boosted my morale. It’s always comforting to know that you have his backing, and you are then focused on giving your best without any worries,” India’s vice-captain concluded.