Rahane discusses bond with Kohli and white-ball chasing secrets
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane recently shared insights into his long-standing partnership with Virat Kohli, particularly highlighting Kohli’s approach to white-ball run-chases and their strong camaraderie in Test cricket. Rahane, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, spoke on the ‘Stick to Cricket’ podcast.
During the podcast, Rahane revealed that Kohli kept the specific ‘secrets and calculations’ behind his exceptional white-ball run-chases private, even from his teammates. Rahane stated that he had attempted to inquire about these methods multiple times but Kohli never disclosed them. According to Rahane, Kohli’s ability to take calculated risks at opportune moments was a key factor in his success, drawing a parallel to MS Dhoni‘s approach, though noting Kohli’s calculations were distinct.
Test Partnership Dynamics
Rahane also reflected on his successful Test partnership with Kohli, attributing their effectiveness to strong camaraderie, positive communication, and their complementary playing styles. Rahane described Kohli as the aggressor and himself as the calmer presence, a dynamic that allowed them to complement each other effectively on the field. Their communication was described as frank and positive, contributing to many successful partnerships, particularly against Australia.
The pair formed India‘s fifth-most productive Test partnership, accumulating 3,661 runs across 67 innings. This included 10 century stands and 17 half-century stands. One notable collaboration was a 365-run stand against New Zealand in 2016, which stands as the fifth-highest partnership by an Indian pair in Tests and the best for the fourth wicket by an Indian duo.
Rahane recalled Kohli’s enjoyment in confronting opposition bowlers. He mentioned that Kohli would often seek confirmation from him regarding whether to sledge an opponent back, and Rahane would encourage him to do so if it suited his game. Kohli consistently encouraged Rahane to play his natural attacking game, advising him not to hesitate in going after a bowler if he felt inclined, even from the first ball.
Kohli’s Chasing Mindset
Kohli is widely recognized for his prowess in chasing targets in limited-overs cricket. Rahane believes that Kohli’s mindset is the primary reason for his unmatched success in these situations. He noted that Kohli maintains his composure even when faced with high run rates or falling wickets, a crucial aspect of his performance.
Kohli’s sharp game awareness and his judgment on when to attack have established him as a dependable batter in ODI and T20I cricket. His statistics while batting second are particularly notable, with a record for the highest number of centuries in successful ODI run chases. He has achieved 22 centuries in victories while batting second, a feat that surpasses other prominent batters like Sachin Tendulkar, who has 14 hundreds, and Ricky Ponting, who recorded eight.
Former England captain Alastair Cook also praised Kohli’s unique approach to chasing, highlighting his calculated risk-taking. Rahane’s comments emphasize that Kohli’s strength lies not just in technique, but in his decision-making under pressure and his ability to consistently perform at high levels over more than fifteen years, maintaining a chasing average substantially above his overall career average.
Rahane’s international career included 85 Test matches, where he scored 5,077 runs with 12 centuries and 26 fifties. In ODIs, he played 90 matches, accumulating 2,962 runs with 3 centuries and 24 fifties. For T20Is, he featured in 20 matches, scoring 375 runs with one fifty. Across 195 international matches, he scored a total of 8,414 runs with 15 centuries and 51 fifties.
Rahane’s insights provide a glimpse into the collaborative spirit and individual brilliance that defined a significant era for Indian cricket, with his retirement marking the conclusion of a career with contributions across all formats.
Source: m.rediff.com
