Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has paid tribute to former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, saying the veteran never received the recognition he deserved for his leadership despite guiding the team through one of the greatest triumphs in Indian Test history. Rahane, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last week, brought the curtain down on a distinguished career in which he often stepped up whenever the team needed him. While his contributions with the bat were significant, his captaincy during India’s memorable 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia remains one of the defining chapters of his career. India entered that series in turmoil after being bowled out for just 36 in Adelaide. Virat Kohli then returned home for the birth of his first child, while injuries ruled out several first-choice players as the tour progressed. Despite those setbacks, Rahane inspired India to a remarkable 2-1 series victory. Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar compared Rahane’s leadership to that of Rahul Dravid, saying both captains delivered outstanding results without receiving the appreciation they deserved. “His record as a skipper is exceptional, with four wins out of six and no losses. Like Rahul Dravid, who also had some terrific wins under his captaincy but never got the credit he deserved, so also Rahane’s leadership hardly got the applause that it merited,” Gavaskar wrote. He also criticised the tendency to overlook the captain’s role when the team succeeds. “This is typical of Indian cricket. When the team wins, all praise goes to the individual achievers, be it batters and bowlers, but when the team loses, the captain and the coach get the blame,” he added. Gavaskar recalled how Rahane responded immediately after India’s humiliating defeat in the opening Test of the Australia series by producing a match-winning century in Melbourne, setting the tone for an extraordinary comeback. “After the demoralising collapse of 36 all out in the first Test of the 2021 series Down Under, it was Rahane, along with Ravi Shastri, who picked the team from the dumps. The vice-captain took over a ship that was ready to sink and not only sailed it into calmer waters but also gave India an unprecedented first win at Australia’s fortress ‘The Gabba’ and with it the series victory too,” wrote Gavaskar. He also highlighted the significance of India’s famous victory at The Gabba, achieved despite fielding an injury-ravaged side in the deciding Test. “In fact, in the final Test of the series, when most of the top players were unavailable due to injury, India pulled off one of its greatest victories in Test cricket. It proved once again, if ever it was needed, that nobody is indispensable in this game,” he added. Gavaskar concluded by praising Rahane’s character, saying the former middle-order batter leaves the game with immense respect from teammates, opponents and cricket followers alike. “Rahane leaves the game with his head held high and the sincere thanks of cricket lovers for the totally selfless way he played the game. It’s not of many cricketers that it can be said that they did not have a single enemy in the game. There are perhaps less than a dozen to the best of my knowledge and experience. Ajinkya Rahane can take his place there with his typical humility,” Gavaskar concluded.
