Key Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane today described Virat Kohli as an “aggressive” captain even as he praised former Test skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for instilling confidence to the cricket team.
“Virat’s captaincy is really aggressive on the field whether it is Bangladesh or Australia. He gives confidence to all of us,” Rahane said ahead of Indian team’s departure for the tour of Bangladesh which begins with a one-off Test starting on June 10.
Kohli took over the leadership of the Test team after Dhoni’s retirement from the longest format last year.
“Playing under Dhoni, we learnt a lot. He gave us massive confidence in Tests, ODIs and T20s. He actually taught us how to believe in ourselves and how to react in each and every situation,” Rahane said.
“Everyone learns a lot from Dhoni and he is there in ODI so we are very happy,” he said.
The one-off Test will be followed by three ODIs.
Asked why Indian batting did not click as a unit in overseas Test matches, Rahane said, “As a young unit, first time we visited South Africa, New Zealand and England. It’s very hard to compare right now.
“As a unit, we are very experienced right now. It’s very hard to say that we did not do very well. But we got that experience and we know all these conditions very well. And so as a unit we will do very well in future,” said Rahane, who has been one of the most consistent Indian batsmen recently.
On personal goals in the Bangladesh tour, he said, “I don’t set any goals. I just like to be there and improve my game, match by match and give my 100 per cent in the series.
Results will follow automatically.”
He said batting great Rahul Dravid’s appointment as coach of India ‘A’ and Under 19 teams will benefit Indian cricket.
“It will boost their (young players) confidence. I am sure players will learn a lot from Rahul,” he said.
