‘When Dhoni stepped away, they toughened up Indian cricket’: Rahane reflects on Kohli-Shastri tenure

New Delhi: Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane believes appointment as Test captain after retirement was a turning point for Indian cricket, saying that he, along with head coach Ravi Shastri, changed the team’s mindset and turned it into a fearless unit, especially in overseas conditions.

Rahane, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, reflected on Team India’s evolution during an appearance on the Stick to Cricket podcast along with Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, Phil Tufnell and David Lloyd.

During the 2014-26 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, MS Dhoni announced his retirement midway through the series, and Kohli took over the Test captaincy, bringing an aggressive approach that transformed India into a formidable force on overseas tours.

Rahane praised both Kohli and then head coach Ravi Shastri for changing the team’s mentality, saying that they became more aggressive, bolder and always proactive.

“When MS Dhoni stepped away from Test cricket, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri toughened up Indian cricket, especially in overseas Tests. We became more aggressive, bolder, and always proactive rather than defensive. He gave players the confidence to play fearlessly,” Ajinkya Rahane said on the Stick to Cricket podcast.

The former vice-captain further added that Virat always told him that if he feels like playing attacking shots from the very first ball, he should go for it. The Men in Blue enjoyed one of their finest periods under the leadership of Kohli and Shastri, winning historic series in Australia. The Indian team reached at the top of the ICC Test rankings and qualified for the inaugural World Test Championship final.

Rahane raises concerns over India’s Test mentality

The former batter also expressed concern over the direction of Test cricket, admitting that it has been disappointing for him to watch the Indian team struggle from the sidelines.

“Sitting at home because I have not been playing Test cricket for two years, watching Indian Test team losing matches even in India as well, I felt Test cricket needs character. You need to build that character. Mental toughness, competitive cricket, that’s what is really important. Playing sessions out, ” Rahane said.

The Men in Blue will take on Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series, starting from August 15.