Recently retired batter Ajinkya Rahane has praised former India captain and coach Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri for the team’s resurgence in Test cricket. The 38-year-old was a recent guest on the Stick to Cricket podcast, alongside former English cricketers Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, David Lloyd, and Phil Tufnell. 

Rahane recalled the time when the Indian cricket team had to go through a period of transition after MS Dhoni retired from the Test format. Dhoni called time on his Test career after the MCG Test in 2014. Virat took over as captain in the Test format in early 2015 ahead of the Sydney Test. 

Speaking on the podcast, the former Indian batter said, “When MSD stepped away from Test cricket, Virat and Ravi toughened up Indian cricket, especially in foreign conditions.

India became more aggressive, bold, and the team became more proactive rather than being defensive.”

The duo helped India win their first Test series in Australia in 2018. Two years later, Ajinkya was the captain when the Indian side came back from 0-1 to win the series 2-1 and successfully retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The visiting side became the first side in over three decades to defeat the hosts at the Gabba. 

While speaking about Kohli’s captaincy, the former KKR skipper said, “He (Virat) always asked me to attack the bowling from the first ball. He gave the confidence to players to play fearlessly.” 

Former India batter fears for Test cricket future

Team India’s fortunes in the longest format of the game haven’t been great since Gautam Gambhir’s arrival as head coach.

The sub-continent nation lost home series against New Zealand and South Africa. The team has also failed against Australia and lost the BGT after a decade. 

“Sitting at home over the last few years, having not played for India and seeing the side lose matches not just away but also at home, I feel Test cricket needs characters, which have to be built. Mental toughness and competitive cricket are important. Nowadays you don’t see many teams play out those tough sessions.”