Ajinkya made our Gudi Padwa special, says Rahane's father

Ajinkya Rahane led India to a famous series victory over Australia at Dharamsala on Tuesday. Rahane was announced the stand-in skipper of the Indian side in the absence of Virat Kohli who is still recovering from a shoulder injury which he picked up on the first day of the third Test at Ranchi against the Australians. Rahane led the side confidently in his own style and also played a crucial knock for the team in the second innings helping India regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

It has been long since a Mumbai player last led the Indian side. Sachin Tendulkar was the last Mumbai player to lead the country back in the year 2000 against the Proteas when Rahane was 11-year-old. The middle-order batsman did an excellent job when given the opportunity and made his country as well as family proud on winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Ajinkya’s father Madhukar who is a former kabaddi and kho-kho player and had represented his state for the same told mid-day that the win was really special for the whole family as it was a gift that their son gave them on Gudi-Padwa (Maharashtrian new year).

Madhukar said, “As skipper, Ajinkya made it a memorable time for us. Winning your first Test and with it, the series makes us feel very proud. Today’s delight and satisfaction is beyond words.”

Rahane Sr went back to the early days when his son first stepped into a cricket academy.

“I still remember Ajinkya’s first day at Dronacharya Cricket Academy in Dombivli. He was just eight and the coach showed Ajinkya a photograph and asked him whether he wanted to play with the player in that photograph. Ajinkya immediately said yes. The player in that photograph was none other than Sachin Tendulkar”

The Mulund resident also said that they never in their wildest dreams had expected their son to ever lead the nation and win on debut as a captain.

“On the morning of the first day of this Test, Ajinkya called my wife and me and told us that he is going to lead India in Dharamsala. He asked for our blessings. I never thought he would lead India in Test cricket, but it was a sukhad dhakka (good shock) to get. Also, I did not expect him to win on debut”