The bluff worked: How Ajinkya Rahane rallied India after 36 all out in Australia
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has revealed how he bluffed his teammates, Australia, and the media to keep the team’s confidence alive after India’s humiliating collapse for 36 all out in Adelaide during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rahane admitted he was nervous when he took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli, but said putting on a brave face helped India turn their fortunes around.
India suffered an eight-wicket defeat in the first Test in Adelaide after being bowled out for their lowest-ever Test total of 36. With Kohli returning home after the match, Rahane was handed the responsibility of leading a team facing widespread doubts about its chances of competing in Australia.
“I remember one thought in my head, about when we lost the game in Adelaide, and then everyone started talking about that ‘India will probably lose 4-0’, and ‘there’s no chance for the Indian team…” Rahane said during a panel discussion at an event titled “Beyond Boundaries”.
The event marked the unveiling of the Indian men’s blind cricket team’s jersey for the Asia Cup in November.
“I was nervous, frankly. I’ll be really honest. But as a sportsman, you get to learn so many things, and the most important learning and the most important thing for me was to bluff in front of my teammates, bluff in front of the Aussies, (and) bluff in front of the media.
“I know the media guys are here, but I think the bluff, that really worked,” he said.
RAHANE’S MESSAGE TO THE TEAM
Rahane said maintaining a confident appearance was crucial as injuries continued to weaken India’s squad. The visitors eventually reached the final Test at the Gabba with a depleted group, but the stand-in captain wanted his teammates to focus on representing the country rather than worrying about the result.
“For me, showing that brave face in front of my teammates two or three players were getting injured after every game and finally at the Gabba, we only had 11 players,” he recalled.
“I remember talking to my teammates, and I said, ‘Oh, we are the lucky ones to be here representing our country. There are so many guys wanting to play for India, but at times, luck plays a massive part in our careers’.
“‘And so let’s play for those guys who never got an opportunity to play for India, (and for those) who were aspiring to play for India in the future’.
“‘Let’s forget about the result and the outcome, whatever happens, day four, day five, we will take it. I will take all the responsibility, but let’s enjoy the game, play for each other’,” he added.
Rahane recalled the tour of Australia as a special experience, particularly because it unfolded during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It was indeed, very special, the Australia tour, for everyone, not for us the players, but also for the whole nation. Going through Covid times — a difficult period — and then quarantine, staying in the room for 14 days, and then practising hard,” he recalled.
The approach paid off spectacularly. Rahane scored a match-winning 112 in the second Test in Melbourne as India levelled the series with an eight-wicket victory. They then drew the Sydney Test before producing a historic three-wicket win at the Gabba, chasing down 328 to seal the series 2-1. The victory ended Australia’s 32-year unbeaten run at the Brisbane venue in Test cricket.
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