Australia vs India: Who Will Lead India If Ajinkya Rahane Becomes Unavailable Too?

After the humiliating defeat in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval, Team India will be looking to bounce back when they lock horns against Australia in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting on Saturday (December 26). India are trailing the four-match series after losing the opener by 8 wickets in just over two days.

It was a humiliating defeat for Team India as they were bowled out for a paltry 36, their lowest-ever score in Tests. India’s previous lowest total was 42 they had scored way back in 1974 against England. Not a single batsman managed to touch the double-digit mark for the visitors in the second innings with Mayank Agarwal’s 9 being the highest score.

What would hurt India even more is that they were firmly on the front foot at the end of day two. After scoring 244, India had bowled out Australia for 191 to take a handy 53-run lead. However, the hosts bounced back in style in the second innings to thrash the Virat Kohli-led side and take the lead as they look to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Who will lead India if Ajinkya Rahane is unavailable:

With Virat Kohli returning home to attend the birth of his first child, Ajinkya Rahane will be in charge of the team. The right-handed batsman is the designated vice-captain of the Test team and was thus elevated to the role of captain after Virat Kohli’s departure. But who will lead the team if Ajinkya Rahane is unavailable for selection too because of an injury or any other reason?

Well, the BCCI cleared the confusion on Friday when they announced Team India’s playing eleven for the Boxing Day Test. Cheteshwar Pujara has been named the new vice-captain and will lead the team in the series if Ajinkya Rahane becomes unavailable.

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