Published: Jun 17, 2016, 05:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 17, 2016, 06:03 PM (IST)
What is the role of a vice-captain? A vice-captain gets to see how taxing it is captaining the side. He is kept in the loop for deciding on the Playing XI, and at times, he gets to learn the mindset of a leader. It is expected from a vice-captain to read the game properly and get to accustom himself well on how to deal in crunch situations. Ideally if he captain is attacking and aggressive, his deputy should be calm and composed to steady the sip when required and form an ideal combination. Recently, after the conclusion of IPL 2016, Indian selectors announced the teams for India’s tour of Zimbabwe and West Indies. Ever since Virat Kohli took over the reins of MS Dhoni as Test skipper, the vice-captaincy position came up for grabs. ALSO READ: Ajinkya Rahane: I love facing challenges and responsibilities
Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay, Ravichandran Ashwin and maybe Rohit Sharma had a chance to be the second player behind Kohli, but in the end, Rahane emerged. He has been elected vice-captain of the Test team following a splendid run, especially overseas. The Mumbaikar scored runs in every country India toured since 2014. He missed out on a ton against South Africa by a whisker as he got out at 96. What followed this was a dream come true for every player as he scored hundreds against New Zealand, England, Australia and Sri Lanka while touring. The pitches in all these places differ a lot and that is what makes this feat special. His closest competitor for the second-most coveted spot was Ashwin. Let us take a look at where Ashwin lost being Kohli’s go-to-man in crisis situations even when he is a thinker and astute cricketer: VVS Laxman: India’s bowling fulcrum — Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah
Ashwin and Rahane’s overseas performance: It is needless to say that Rahane has been rock steady for Team India in all overseas assignments. He even scored his first century on home soil when he registered back-to-back tons against South Africa at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi. On the other hand, on India’s disastrous tour of England in 2011, Ashwin was India’s best bowler with 6 wickets at an average of 25.60 in ODIs. He has been good in bits, but has never been at his best when touring. Ashwin had a good and economical ICC Champions Trophy 2013 and ICC World Cup 2015, but on the contrary, he was ordinary when India toured New Zealand, South Africa (both 2013-14), and England (2014).
Ashwin came into the groove slowly while touring, whereas Rahane showed the glimpse of his calibre and talent in all these tours. Being a performer for the team especially on the road holds much more significance and probably Rahane scored more than him in this aspect.
Ashwin and Rahane’s home records: Owing to his tremendous rise in the shorter formats, Ashwin was included in the Test team when West Indies toured India for a three-match series in 2011. He was the leading wicket-taker in the series and was even named Man of the Series. In New Zealand’s 2012 tour of India, Ashwin shone again on spinning tracks, dismantling their batting line-up; his most recent successful performance came against South Africa when he ended the series picking up 31 wickets. In every home series for India, Ashwin has been the chief destructor. In Australia’s 2013-14 tour of India, Ashwin was the leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets, and his most impressive performance outside India came against Sri Lanka when he claimed 29 scalps.
Ashwin has improved remarkably and he always thinks to outfox the batsmen but his overseas record has not been impressive. On the other hand, Rahane has an average of 39.14 at home, nowhere close to excellent, but acceptable. His best knocks came against South Africa when he scored two tons in the last Test.
A great tour of West Indies, more for Ashwin, can yield better results for the off-spinner. The added responsibility could have distracted Ashwin from his goal, and it is very important for him to continue to dominate batsmen outside India if they have to improve their dismal record overseas. ALSO READ: Ajinkya Rahane: Lynchpin of Team India
Ashwin’s aggression versus Rahane’s calmness: Ashwin has been quite vocal on social media giving befitting replies to his critics when required. He is a composed character on field, but does not shy away from giving it back to his opponents if and when pushed to do so. His in-your-face attitude has developed over time, and he has established himself an aggressive campaigner. With Kohli leading the young Team India, it was wise to select a person who is much more the opposite of his leader. Rahane scores all brownie points in this regard, for he comes across as calm and composed, very much like MS Dhoni who always seems to have the situation under control. He entertains in his own way and forms a lethal combination with Kohli. In tandem, Kohli and Ashwin could have jumped the gun at times or would have led to over aggression at times. Rahane balances out things brilliantly in this manner, which probably gave him the edge. ALSO READ:James Anderson top-ranked ICC Test bowler; Ravichandran Ashwin second
Ashwin is undoubtedly a fighter, and has always come across as someone ready to improve his game. He realised the need to not over-bowl his carrom balls and is undoubtedly India’s most reliable bowler at present. He is a slow starter on overseas tours and despite having a few good outings in some ICC events abroad, he has to shine in Tests while touring. Nonetheless, he lost the race to become India’s vice-captain in the longer formats to a Ajinkya Rahane, perhaps a more deserving candidate. This will bring out the best from both of them.
(Aditya Sahay is a journalist with CricketCountry who is completely into sports and loves writing about cricket in general. He can be followed on Twitter at adisahay7)
