Virat Kohli Is The Captain And I Am Vice-captain Now - Ajinkya Rahane Wants The Captaincy Debate To End

There are certainly a lot of speculations and concerns Ajinkya Rahane banished on an Australia tour. Not only he got back to form with the bat with a magnificent – arguably his career’s best – Test century in Melbourne silencing the critics questioning his place in the side. But also shunned down people who demanded a new vice-captain.

As Virat Kohli’s personal duties called, he had to return back to India after the Adelaide loss. Stepped in Ajinkya Rahane. He carried a team, which kept losing their key players one by one to injuries and pulled the team out of ignominy of ’36 all-out’ such that it feels a distant memory. India won the series by breaching the ‘Fortress Gabba’ and Ajinkya Rahane returned to people is now a Messiah.

Such was his influence, as a batsman and a leader, in Australia, that now the same people, who once questioned his place in the eleven, are backing for Ajinkya Rahane to be put at the helm replacing Virat Kohli. However, the Mumbai-born isn’t putting much thought into it.

When Virat left after the Adelaide match, my aim was similar to his: Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane says that he and Kohli are close friends and both want to do well for the team. The 32-year-old points out the Kohli is back to lead the side against England and everything is back to what it was before. The first Test against Joe Root’s side begins on Friday and Rahane will be back as a vice-captain.

“We both are really good friends. We just want to do well for the country. Let me tell you, Virat is the captain now and I am the vice-captain. The situation is back to what it was. He is the captain and I am vice-captain, and I am enjoying my role,” Ajinkya Rahane told Indian Express.

Team India has an unbeaten record under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane – 4 wins and 1 draw. The right-hander says that after Kohli left after the first Test in Adelaide, he had the same goal as that of the skipper. And that is to lead the team well and win matches and support everyone in the dressing room.

“When Virat left after the Adelaide match, my aim was similar to his — to do well for my country and to get the best out of every player. We both are really close and really good friends… I am happy to take a back-seat in the England series and continue,” Ajinkya Rahane added.

Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane Opens Up About The Role Played By Rahul Dravid In Team India’s Success Down Under