India tour of Zimbabwe: How will captaincy affect Ajinkya Rahane?

What a difference a week makes. Ajinkya Rahane had to face the ignominy of being dropped from the India ODI side against Bangladesh on 20 June. On Monday, 28 June, he was named the ODI captain for India’s tour of Zimbabwe.

My head is spinning at the quick turnaround so I can imagine Rahane’s rotating at warp speed.

Rahane has been one of the most consistent batsmen for India over the last 18 months. So when MS Dhoni decided to drop him, it came as shock. Dhoni cited Rahane’s inability to rotate the strike as the reason for his demotion.

“We have seen that he plays a lot better on pitches that have some pace,” Dhoni said. “But on a slow pitch, whenever he has batted at No. 4 or 5, he does have a problem in freely rotating the strike at the start of his innings. I think Ajinkya will have to wait.”

Rahane’s confidence would have taken a hit after he lost his place, especially since he wasn’t technically out of form. And with India suffering an avalanche of criticism for losing the ODI series to Bangladesh despite sending a full strength side, there will be immense pressure on the young team that Rahane will lead in Zimbabwe.

The question then is with Rahane already looking to respond to his batting critics, how will he cope with the pressures of captaincy as well?

To start with, Rahane has limited experience of captaining a team. He’s led Mumbai in one T20 and one List A game (at domestic level) and lost both.

For another, Rahane is not in the mould of Virat Kohli. He is calm and composed on the field and doesn’t let his emotions show. He isn’t even in the mould of MS Dhoni. who stays calm but is outspoken when he needs to be and is free with his opinions. Rahane has a shy, quiet personality that might not be suited to the demands of leadership.

But one of the biggest asset that Rahane possesses is his temperament and ability to overcome obstacles. He might not show his emotions on the field but he is a tough cricketer. He has always been willing to grind it out day and night to make sure he comes out a better cricketer. There have been numerous stories where he’s spent sleepless nights after getting out cheaply or playing a bad shot.

Amit Shah, an associate of Rahane’s manager, recalled an incident in The Indian Express . It came during a practice match at Azad Maidan. “The bowler was a strapping waiter from a nearby Udipi hotel. He was 25, Ajju was 10 and he hit the little boy on his maroon helmet, a few sizes too big for him, with the first ball. Ajju was on the floor and weeping, but he refused to come off.”

Rahane then dusted himself off and smashed the next five deliveries to the fence.

In an interview to ESPNcricinfo , Rahane revealed how starting off with karate at the age of six made him strong.

“While learning karate, I was the smallest. And many opponents said, what will this kid fight, how can he fight? But I knew inside me that I did not like to talk but [to> show by doing,” Rahane said. “So that attitude I have brought to the cricket field too: by talking, the opponents might get happy and by responding there are chances of losing my focus and concentration. Instead, if I just stay quiet and respond with my batting that will help me more,” he added.

It also helps that the selectors appear to have faith in Rahane. “We are happy with the way his career is shaping up, chairman Sandeep Patil said. “He has been the most consistent batsman for India and we want to see his other aspects. So, we have given him this opportunity and we will keep backing him.”

When Rahane strides out to play the first ODI on 10 July, he will become the first Mumbai cricketer to captain India since Sachin Tendulkar 15 years ago. There will be tremendous pressure on him to prove himself again.

But if his past is anything to go by, he is unlikely to be overawed by the challenge. It’s just another chance to prove his doubters wrong.

The writer tweets @jigsactin