MELBOURNE: Ajinkya Rahane has soaked up regular skipper Virat Kohli’s parting words but is determined to be his own man as he takes charge for India’s last three Tests against Australia, the 32-year-old said on Friday.

Kohli returned home to attend the birth of his first child after the tourists were thrashed inside three days in the day-night series opener in Adelaide.

Rahane’s composure is in stark contrast to Kohli’s animated presence but the middle-order batsman drew inspiration from his experience of leading India to a victory against Australia in a 2017 Test.

“Backing your instincts as a captain, remaining calm under pressure, backing your own strength, your own methods...I really learnt a lot during that Test match,” Rahane said on the eve of the Boxing Day match from Saturday. “Obviously it’s a great opportunity, responsibility as well. I don’t want to put myself under pressure.”

In Kohli’s absence, Rahane faces an unenviable task against a buoyant Australia side seeking to avenge their first ever test series loss to India two years ago.

Rahane, who also led India to victory in Afghanistan’s debut Test in 2018, said his composure should not be mistaken for lack of aggression.

“Personally, I stay calm and cool but my batting is generally aggressive. I back my instinct and it’s all about playing as a team from tomorrow [Saturday].”

Asked if Kohli had any parting message for the team, Rahane said: “We had a team dinner in Adelaide, and he spoke to all of us — about being positive, just playing to our strengths and playing as a unit.”

Compared to Kohli’s hands-on captaincy, Rahane’s leadership is more democratic and the Mumbai batsman confirmed he would not station himself at mid-off and spoon-feed his bowlers.

“I generally stand a gully, even as a captain, so you will see me standing at gully tomorrow,” he said with a smile.

Meanwhile, India have made four changes to their team, with Shubman Gill in for out-of-form opener Prithvi Shaw and Mohammad Siraj replacing the injured paceman Mohammed Shami.

Rishabh Pant takes over from Wriddhiman Saha as wicket-keeper while experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is back from injury.

In contrast, Australia are expected to name the same XI.

Australia skipper Tim Paine said his team had studied everyone in the Indian squad and they were ready for whoever took the field.

“We know that some of the players they’re talking about coming in to their side ... are dangerous players who like to take the game on and will play positively,” he said on Friday. “If we give players like that an inch they will take a mile, so we need to be bang on the mark tomorrow [Saturday] as we were in Adelaide and be prepared to turn up for another five day battle.”

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2020