Rahane Needs To Step Up In Kohli's Absence In Australia

Rahane has the experience, having toured Australia in 2014-15, and again in 2018-19. However, although Rahane has played 65 Tests for India...

- Renin Wilben

Team India created history during their previous visit Down Under, registering their first-ever Test series win in Australia, by a 2-1 margin. While India walked away with plenty of plaudits for the same, the fact remains that their triumph came against a weakened side minus the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner, who were serving their ball-tampering bans. Both of them will be available for the upcoming Test series and with the prolific Marnus Labuschagne also in the mix, Australia will be raring to have a go at India this time.

With Indian skipper Virat Kohli set to return to India following the first Test at Adelaide for the birth of his first child, Australia will have a significant advantage over the visitors this time. Not only does Kohli love taking on the Australian bowling, his presence itself gives a psychological edge to India considering how dominating he can be. In Kohli’s absence, India will need their other senior batsmen to stand up. While last series’ hero Cheteshwar Pujara will be expected to play the anchor role again, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will need to take over Kohli’s job, as captain and batsman.