Source: NDTV Sports

It remains one of Indian cricket’s most audacious triumphs, etched forever in the annals of sporting lore: the breaching of The Gabba fortress in 2021. Against all odds, a bruised and battered Indian side, riddled with injuries and reeling from a historic collapse, staged an improbable comeback to secure the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil. At the helm, steering this ship through tempestuous waters, was Ajinkya Rahane – a captain whose quiet resolve, as celebrated Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar recently underscored, often ‘never got the credit he deserved’.

This breaking news analysis delves into the recent accolades for Rahane, particularly following his international retirement, and dissects Gavaskar’s insightful comparison to another stoic leader, Rahul Dravid.

The Miracle of The Gabba: A Defining Moment

To truly appreciate the magnitude of Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership, one must revisit the nadir from which India ascended. The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series began in catastrophic fashion for India, bowled out for a humiliating 36 runs in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. The team was staring down the barrel of a whitewash, compounded by the departure of regular captain Virat Kohli for paternity leave. It was amidst this crisis, with the squad navigating the stringent challenges and restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, that Rahane, the then vice-captain, was handed the reins.

What followed was nothing short of miraculous. The BCCI, in a moving tribute following Rahane’s recent international retirement, recounted this period as his ‘finest chapter’. Under Rahane’s ‘calm leadership’, India not only levelled the series with a magnificent century from the captain himself at the MCG but went on to achieve one of the greatest triumphs in Indian cricket history. Overcoming an unprecedented spate of injuries and relying on inexperienced players, India secured a memorable series victory, capped by the historic win at The Gabba – a venue where Australia had remained unbeaten for 32 years.

Rahane’s record as a Test captain is, quite simply, exceptional. Leading India in six Test matches, he remained unbeaten, securing four victories and drawing two. This flawless record, achieved under immense pressure and against formidable opposition, speaks volumes about his tactical acumen and leadership qualities.

Gavaskar’s Endorsement: Rahane and Dravid – The Unsung Captains

Indian cricket great Sunil Gavaskar has now added his authoritative voice to the chorus of appreciation for Rahane. Writing in Mid-Day, Gavaskar not only lauded Rahane’s captaincy but drew a significant parallel to another revered figure: Rahul Dravid. ‘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 stated.

This comparison from Gavaskar offers profound insight into a specific type of leadership often overlooked in the often-glamorous world of Indian cricket. While captains like Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sourav Ganguly are celebrated as ‘trailblazers’ and Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni fill their ‘trophy cabinets’ with success, Gavaskar identifies a ‘third kind’ – the ‘quiet ones’ who ‘did the job entrusted to them with quiet resolve and rarely failed’. Rahane, unequivocally, falls into this esteemed category, as does, according to Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid.

The Broader Implication: Credit Where It’s Due?

Gavaskar’s comments extend beyond individual praise, touching upon a deeper cultural dynamic within Indian cricket. ‘This is typical of Indian cricket. When the team wins, all praise goes to the individual achievers, be it batters or bowlers, but when the team loses, the captain and the coach get the blame,’ he observed. This critical analysis from one of the game’s keenest observers highlights a persistent imbalance in how credit and criticism are apportioned.

A captain’s influence, particularly in Test cricket, is often subtle but pervasive. It involves strategy, man-management, crisis resolution, and fostering a winning mentality. These elements are not always easily quantifiable in a scorecard, unlike a century or a five-wicket haul. Rahane’s leadership during the 2020-21 BGT perfectly illustrates this. He wasn’t just directing field placements; he was, as Gavaskar put it, along with Ravi Shastri, ‘pick[ing] the team up from the dumps’ after the demoralising 36 all out.

The mental fortitude required to rally a team from such a low point, especially when facing a dominant Australian side in their own backyard, is immense. Rahane 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.’

Leadership Defined by Clarity and Belief

The BCCI’s tribute further elaborated on Rahane’s specific leadership attributes: ‘His leadership was marked by clarity of thought, sound judgement, and the belief he instilled in those around him.’ These are not just buzzwords; they were demonstrably evident during the Australian tour.

Consider the final Test at The Gabba. The source material notes that ‘most of the top players were unavailable due to injury,’ yet India ‘pulled off one of its greatest victories in Test cricket.’ This is the ultimate testament to a captain’s ability to inspire belief in seemingly impossible circumstances. Rahane’s calm demeanour, his leading from the front with the bat, and his unwavering trust in his depleted squad created an environment where inexperienced players could perform beyond expectations.

His sound judgement would have been critical in selecting the right combinations, managing bowler workloads, and strategizing against a relentless Australian attack. His clarity of thought would have ensured that despite the chaos of injuries, the team maintained a clear vision and objective for each session and each day of cricket.

The Legacy of the Quiet Achiever

Ajinkya Rahane’s international retirement brings into focus a career defined by resilience and understated effectiveness. While he may not boast the extensive trophy cabinet of a Kapil Dev or an MS Dhoni, or the sheer statistical volume of other legends, his brief stint as Test captain delivered one of Indian cricket’s most cherished triumphs. The fact that he remained unbeaten in all his six Tests as captain, four of them wins, is a remarkable statistical anomaly, especially given the context of the series where four of those matches took place.

Gavaskar’s parallel with Rahul Dravid serves as a crucial reminder that impact is not solely measured by high-profile endorsements or a flood of individual praise. Sometimes, the most pivotal contributions come from those who operate with a quiet resolve, steering their teams through adversity with unwavering commitment and inspiring an entire generation in the process. Rahane’s legacy, now underscored by the words of a legend, cements his place as one of India’s truly unsung heroes of Test cricket – a leader whose achievements, though sometimes overlooked, resonate deeply with those who understand the true essence of the game.

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Disclaimer: This coverage is based on reporting from NDTV Sports, with additional cricket analysis and context provided by Cricket Mantra.