Ajinkya Rahane Reveals Virat Kohli’s Special Leadership Quality Ahead of SL vs IND 2026 Test

Virat Kohli earned special praise from former India batter Ajinkya Rahane, who highlighted the quality that made the legendary batter an influential leader during his time with the Indian team. Rahane explained that Kohli never needed to force teammates to follow certain standards because he led by example.

Speaking during the ongoing SL vs IND 2026 1st Test coverage, Rahane recalled Kohli’s approach to fitness, diet and Test cricket. According to the former India batter, Kohli’s commitment to his own standards naturally encouraged the rest of the team to follow.

Ajinkya Rahane explains what made Virat Kohli different

Rahane revealed that Kohli was not someone who constantly instructed other players about what they should or should not do. Instead, he preferred to demonstrate the standards himself.

“He never asked anyone to do this or that. He did it by himself, be it fitness or diet,” Rahane said on Sony Sports Network.

Rahane believes that this approach had a significant impact on the Indian dressing room. Rather than relying on instructions, Kohli’s own performances and commitment created an example for his teammates.

“When a captain or player does it by himself, the team follows automatically. He never forced anyone to do anything, he did it by himself,” Rahane added.

Rahane recalls Kohli’s memorable Adelaide performance

Rahane specifically remembered Kohli’s performance during India’s 2014 Test against Australia in Adelaide. The match became an important moment in Kohli’s early leadership journey and showcased the aggressive mindset he wanted India to adopt in Test cricket.

Kohli scored 115 runs from 184 balls in India’s first innings. He followed that performance with another outstanding century in the second innings, scoring 141 runs from 175 deliveries.

Australia eventually set India a target of 364 runs in the fourth innings. India chased the target aggressively instead of settling for a defensive approach, eventually being bowled out for 315 and losing the contest by 48 runs.

Although India fell short of the target, Rahane believes the team’s positive approach was an important sign of the mentality that would become increasingly associated with Kohli’s leadership.

Virat Kohli led India by example

Kohli’s leadership was built around high standards, particularly in areas such as fitness and preparation. Rahane’s comments underline how the former captain’s personal commitment could influence the wider team without the need for constant instructions.

This leadership philosophy became particularly visible during India’s transformation into a highly competitive Test side. Kohli’s intensity, fitness standards and willingness to take responsibility with the bat became important parts of his identity as captain.

For Rahane, the key difference was that Kohli practiced what he expected from others. His teammates could see the standards being applied to himself first, making it easier for the rest of the squad to adopt similar habits.

Rahane names Kohli as his best Test batting partner

Rahane also previously picked Kohli as his best batting partner in Test cricket. The pair formed one of India’s most dependable middle-order partnerships during their time together in the national team.

Reflecting on his partnerships across formats, Rahane named several players but reserved a special mention for Kohli in Test cricket.

“In Test, everyone knows about Virat and my match-winning partnerships and in different conditions,” Rahane said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

Across 67 Test innings together, Rahane and Kohli accumulated 3,661 partnership runs at an average of 56.32. They also recorded 10 century partnerships, underlining their consistency as a middle-order combination.

Why Kohli’s leadership remains influential

Rahane’s comments offer an insight into why Kohli’s influence extended beyond his individual batting performances. His leadership was closely connected with his own preparation, discipline and willingness to take responsibility during difficult situations.

Instead of simply demanding higher standards from teammates, Kohli established those standards through his own routine and performances. That approach helped create a culture in which players were encouraged to improve without necessarily being instructed directly.

The Adelaide Test remains a useful example of that philosophy. Despite India eventually losing a closely fought match, Kohli’s two centuries and India’s willingness to chase a challenging target reflected a more positive approach to Test cricket.

India continue their Test campaign against Sri Lanka

Rahane’s comments came as India faced Sri Lanka in the opening Test of their 2026 tour. India won the toss and elected to bat first in Galle, with the visitors producing a strong batting display on Day 1.

devdutt padikkal registered his maiden Test century, while KL Rahul contributed 77 before retiring hurt after suffering cramps. India reached 288/2 at stumps, putting themselves in a commanding position after the opening day’s play.

shubman Gill, India’s current captain, scored 16 before being dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya. The result left Padikkal unbeaten after an impressive innings at No. 3.

While Kohli is no longer part of India’s Test setup, Rahane’s remarks highlight the lasting influence of the former captain’s approach to leadership, preparation and Test cricket.