India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership stood out in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar series against Australia.
Rahane not only impressed with his tactics but also kept his calm in pressure situations. Thus, Rahane lead from the front against Australia and delivered the goods while leading the team in the absence of Virat Kohli in the last three Test matches.
Rahane has revealed that he follows Vedanta’s philosophy, which helps him keep his calm in pressure situations and he has practicing the same for the last six to seven years. The philosophy helps Rahane in understanding life and how to deal with success and failure.
Rahane was able to get the best out of the young team and delivered the goods despite a spate of injuries. The Indian captain gave space to the young players and he kept backing them despite the adversities.
“I think it comes naturally to me. I have been learning about Vedanta philosophy, and I have been practicing it even during the lockdown… I have been following the philosophy for the past six-seven years. It has been helping me a lot in life when it comes to coping with success and failure, to understand what is important in life and what matters to you. It has been working very well for me. The philosophy is about life, it is not related to cricket… How to deal with pressure situations, how to deal with success and failure, if you are failing, how you can be calm and positive, and what is the bigger picture,” said Rahane while talking to Indian Express.
On the other hand, Rahane believes that playing in the Indian Premier League has helped the young players become fearless in their approach. There is no fear of failure in the young generation of cricketers and they play their natural game on most occasions.
The IPL gives a perfect platform to young players to showcase their talent in front of a jam-packed crowd. Furthermore, playing with and against one of the best players in the world, helps their confidence a world of good.
The likes of T Natarajan, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, and Rishabh Pant were able to deliver in Australia and a lot of credit goes to the IPL for the improvement of these players.
“I think IPL has helped each and every cricketer in terms of experience, to play quality attacks, to gain knowledge about the game… IPL helped make players fearless, which is really good. If there is no fear of failure, players can play their natural game, and that is what all these guys did.
Rahane will now return to his role of vice-captaincy as the Indian team will face England in a four-match Test series. The first Test match will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai from February 5.
