There will be a lot of onus on Ajinkya Rahane in the coming days: Gautam Gambhir

India will face Australia for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26. India had a terrible outing against hosts in the first Test where they bundled up on just 36 runs, their lowest ever in Test Cricket history. Now, Virat Kohli has left for India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first baby. Now, the responsibility to lead the team in tough times will be on Ajinkya Rahane’s shoulders.

In the same light, Indian former batsman Gautam Gambhir opened up and said that Rahane will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders while leading India in difficult hours. Gambhir added that since the best players like Virat Kohli and Mohammad Shami are not there in the team, Rahane will have to manage a lot on his own.

There will be a lot of onus on what combination India go with: Gautam Gambhir

“They need to remember that they actually dominated the first two days, they were ahead in the game throughout the first two days. They will be hurt about the one session – but again, they need to remember that there are three test matches, and at the same time, they won’t have their best player Virat Kohli with them, their captain. So, there is a lot of onus on Ajinkya Rahane, plus Mohammad Shami will not be there. There will be a lot of onus on what combination they go with,” said Gambhir on Star Sports exclusive show ‘Cricket Connected’ over India’s loss in Adelaide.

Kohli has left after giving India team the much-needed motivation ahead of Boxing Day Test. India was doing well enough till the end of the second day in the first Test. India even had a lead while entering their second innings, but something terrible unfolded while India batted the next time. The entire team bundled up on just 36 runs, touching its new low in Test cricket.

In absence of players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammad Shami, it would be a thing to watch out for as to how India turns the table in the coming days.