'The camaraderie between us is based on trust' - Virat Kohli on great bond with Ajinkya Rahane

Indian skipper Virat Kohli returned back to the Indian side for the four-match Test series against England after missing the last three Tests against Australia to be with his wife Anushka Sharma during the birth of their daughter. In the absence of Kohli, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane did a splendid job as under his leadership India retained the prestigious Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia by 2-1.

After India’s historic win against Australia, the rumours of a possible competition between Kohli and Rahane for captaincy had started doing rounds on social media. There was a section of people who believed that Rahane should be handed the responsibility of leading the team while Kohli should focus on his batting.

However, Virat Kohli quashed the talks of any difference between India’s captain and vice-captain in the purest format of the game. Kohli reckoned that the relationship between him and Ajinkya is based on mutual respect and trust as both of them are working for the welfare of the team.

I discuss a lot of things with Ajinkya to get more clarity and a different perspective: Virat Kohli

Further, the skipper revealed that the two shared a good camaraderie with each other on and off the field. He also added that Rahane has the freedom of coming up to him anytime during the game and giving his inputs regarding the playing strategy or any other matter. Virat also credited the good equation between him and Ajinkya as a major reason for India’s success in the purest format of the game.

“Things are very different from the outside compared to what happens inside the dressing room. Jinks said what he did because the camaraderie between us is based on trust. We are working towards the same goal. Rahane fulfilled his responsibility with flying colours in Australia. We have mutual respect. We chat off the field as well and stay in touch.

On the field, he has always had the capability and capacity to come and give me inputs at different stages of the game. I discuss a lot of things with him to get more clarity and a different perspective. That is a massive reason for India’s success in Test cricket,” Kohli said in the press conference on the eve of the first Test between India and England.