While Team India is on a learning curve, heading to Zimbabwe for a short tour with a new-look side, its new skipper Ajinkya Rahane is also keen to learn about himself as a leader. “Ajinkya Rahane, the batsman, is known to everyone. Ajinkya Rahane, the leader, is something I am eager to find out about,” said the youngster during a media interaction here on Monday.
Rahane is a huge believer in visualisation as player and wants to continue to do the same as India captain.
“I have always believed in visualising, based on my role in the team. I will keep doing that and pretty well back myself,” he said.
Giving a glimpse into his mindset, Rahane said: “I always believe in setting my own rules, doing my own thinking for the team. I have always enjoyed challenging situations and this responsibility is one more in my career.”
The Indian side is a mix of campaigners with varied experience like veteran Harbhajan Singh, ODI debutants Manish Pandey and Sandeep Sharma, apart from fellow World Cuppers Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny and Axar Patel.
The captain is upbeat about the talent in the squad and is happy with the balance.
Former India skippers M.S. Dhoni and Rahul Dravid, & Rajasthan Royals skipper Steven Smith are cricket leaders whom he admires for different reasons. “I like Dhoni’s calmness in match situations while playing under Dravid has taught me the value of keeping things simple. Smith is instinctive and decisions are taken on the spur of moment,” said Rahane.
Karn outLeg-spinner Karn Sharma’s absence from the tour due to injury is a blow, according to him. There will be no official replacement, as per a decision taken by the BCCI, reducing the spin options for the new captain. Harbhajan and Axar are the slow bowlers in the squad.
Asked if his preparations would be different in view of his responsibilities as a captain, Rahane replied in the negative and said he would stick to his own routine. The team composition and his own batting position will be decided once the squad lands in Zimbabwe.
