Ajinkya Rahane Reflects on His Partnership with Virat Kohli in Test Cricket

Ajinkya Rahane recently opened up about his successful batting partnership with Virat Kohli during a podcast. He highlighted their contrasting styles and the strong camaraderie that contributed to their achievements in Test cricket. Rahane shared insights into Kohli's secretive approach to run chases and how their communication on the field led to numerous successful partnerships. With impressive statistics, Rahane's reflections provide a glimpse into the dynamics of one of India's most productive batting pairs. Discover more about their journey and the impact of their collaboration in the full article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 5, 2026, 23:45 IST

Ajinkya Rahane Discusses His Bond with Virat Kohli

In a recent episode of the 'Stick to Cricket' podcast, former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane shared insights about his batting partnership with the legendary Virat Kohli. He emphasized that their success in Test cricket stemmed from their strong camaraderie and Kohli's encouragement for Rahane to play his natural game.

Rahane, who has recently retired from international cricket, spoke with co-hosts including former England players Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook. He noted that Kohli often kept the strategies behind his remarkable white-ball run chases a secret, even from teammates.

Ajinkya remarked, "It's all in his mind, and that's his secret. I've tried to get him to share, but he keeps it to himself. His knack for taking calculated risks at the right moments is crucial. MS Dhoni had a similar approach, but Kohli's calculations are on another level."

The middle-order batsman explained how their contrasting styles—Kohli's aggression and his own calm demeanor—allowed them to complement each other effectively. He reminisced about their partnerships in Australia, highlighting how Kohli thrived on aggressive bowling and encouraged Rahane to adopt a more attacking approach.

Rahane stated, "We worked well together due to our different personalities. Our successful partnerships were built on open communication. In matches against Australia, if Virat wanted to take on a bowler and I supported that, he would excel even more."

He added that Kohli enjoyed the challenge of sledging opponents and often sought Rahane's opinion on whether to engage. Rahane would encourage him, saying, "Yes, go for it!" Their strong bond extended beyond the field, as they frequently discussed cricket, a practice that seems less common today.

Kohli's positive attitude was a significant influence on Rahane, who described him as someone who urged him to play his game without hesitation. Rahane recalled, "He always said, 'Just play your game.' I naturally lean towards an aggressive style, and he encouraged me to go after bowlers right from the start."

As Kohli became one of the most successful Test captains, Rahane stood as a reliable partner, contributing to their impressive record as India's fifth-most productive Test pair, amassing 3,661 runs in 67 innings at an average of 56.32, including ten century partnerships.

Throughout his Test career, Rahane participated in 85 matches, scoring 5,077 runs with an average of 38.46. In ODIs, he played 90 matches, accumulating 2,962 runs, while in T20Is, he scored 375 runs across 20 matches. Overall, he has 8,414 runs in 195 international matches.