Ian Chappell Hails Ajinkya Rahane As A 'Postitive And Aggressive' Captain

Ian Chappell, former Australian captain, has backed vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane to do a stellar job as captain once regular skipper Virat Kohli returns home following the completion of the first Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Virat Kohli will return to India in order to be with his wife and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, who is set to deliver the couple’s first child in January.

Ajinkya Rahane led India in the decider Test of the 2017 series at home against Australia and the middle-order batsman impressed one and all with his shrewd leadership skills, including the legendary Ian Chappell, who hailed him as a ‘positive and aggressive captain’

“As far as captaincy is concerned, I saw Ajinkya Rahane captain in one Test match against Australia when Australia were in India a few years back and it was the deciding Test match. And I was very, very impressed with Rahane’s captaincy,” Ian Chappel told Michael Holding in the latter’s YouTube show.

“I thought he was very positive, very aggressive. When the game was in the balance, he always took the aggressive option and he batted well at a time when India were probably going to win anyhow but things had got a little bit shaky. And he came in and took on Pat Cummins and took them home to victory,” he further added.

There is a feeling in the folklore that Australia will be huge favorites to win the Test series since Virat Kohli will not be available for 75 percent of the rubber. However, Ian Chappell cautioned the home side, adding that if they think that they’ll just turn up and win just because Kohli isn’t there, then it will be a huge mistake.

“At least, they have got a very good replacement captain. And the other thing is if Australia, I don’t think they will do this, if Australia thinks that ‘Kohli is gone home and all we have to do is turn up’, if they think like that, it will be a big mistake. I don’t think they will be complacent,” suggested Ian Chappell.

The four-match Test series between Australia and India will kickstart at the Adelaide Oval from December 17.

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