Ajinkya Rahane Showed Leadership Is All About Actions: Tom Moody

Indian stand-in-captain Ajinkya Rahane’s gritty hundred on the second day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne against Australia gave his side an edge. Ajinkya Rahane’s unbeaten knock was significant in the tourists retaining control after a scratchy start in the first session. Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody acknowledged that the 32-year old has redefined what leadership means.

Ajinkya Rahane, who batted at number five, came at the crease when India trailed by 131 runs with seven wickets in hand. The right-handed batsman had also endured a lean run leading up to the Test, including a duck during India’s horrific batting performance in the second innings in Adelaide. Nevertheless, Rahane exorcised all those demons by mustering a hundred to put india in a strong position.

Tom Moody underlined that Ajinkya Rahane showed that leadership is all about actions and he did so by grinding down, demonstrating discipline, maturity, and class along the way to entertain the crowd at the MCG. Moody further said that his modest way of celebrating the hundred was the most significant part of his knock.

“He showed what leadership is all about. Leadership is all about actions. His actions were very much one of head down, I’m grinding this out, I’ll show you discipline, maturity, class along the way and allow my innings to unfold and blossom for you all to enjoy and to me, the way he acknowledged the hundred was the most special part of the innings,” Moody told ESPN Cricinfo.

Kane Williamson acknowledged the hundred against Pakistan in a very similar modest fashion: Tom Moody

The 55-year old drew comparisons of Rahane’s celebration of hundred to that of Kane Williamson, who also did it similarly when he scored a Test ton against Pakistan. Moody highlighted loving watching such players who acknowledge their centuries diffidently despite what they have accomplished.

“So understated, a similar player across the Tasman, Kane Williamson acknowledged the hundred against Pakistan in a very similar modest fashion. I love watching players like these understated. Everyone knows they have climbed the Everest but they are comfortable, nodding their head and raising their bat,” the South Australian added.

Also Read: Don’t Push Me To Take Legal Recourse: Bishan Singh Bedi Threatens DDCA