Ajinkya Rahane says Kohli's aggression complemented his calm approach

Ajinkya Rahane said the positive and frank conversations between him and Virat Kohli helped the two forge crucial partnerships for India in Test cricket. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Rahane said batting with the former India captain brought out the best in him. He scored 12 centuries and amassed 5,077 runs in 85 Tests for India.

Rahane added that Kohli always backed him to trust his instinct and play his natural attacking game. He credited Kohli's tenure as captain, with Ravi Shastri in charge, for India's dominance in the longest format where the team secured back-to-back series wins in Australia.

Rahane lamented India's woeful form in Tests at home, which has seen the side slump to series losses against New Zealand and South Africa. He said Test cricket needs at least seven senior players in the playing eleven and felt this Indian side had transitioned too fast after Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin retired.