Why Ajinkya Rahane refused to cut a Kangaroo designed cake

India completed a historic Border Gavaskar Trophy triumph Down Under, and each of the players received hero's welcome at their home states. India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who led the Men in Blue during Virat Kohli’s absence was received with a huge number of fans gathered near his home in Dadar, Mumbai performing chants and cheers where the atmosphere was totally festive. India managed to beat Australia at their Fortress, the Gabba ending one of the longest unbeaten streaks ever at a particular venue. 

While Jinks arrived, he was greeted with such warm hospitality and was asked to cut the Kangaroo design cake, but the latter decided not to do so. And this gesture of Rahane took social media to a frenzy. 

“When you came back, your building presented you with a cake, with a Kangaroo on it and you said you’re not going to cut it,” Harsha Bhogle asked Ajinkya Rahane during a Facebook live session.

It’s all about mutual respect that matters to Rahane

“Kangaroo is their (Australian) national animal and I don’t want to do that. You treat your opposition, you give them respect even if you win, even if you create history. That’s fine. You have to have that respect for the opponents and other countries. That’s why I took that decision not to cut that cake,” Rahane told Bhogle.

The 32-year-old has shifted his focus towards the next challenge

“That phase is over and I am no longer the captain. I am focusing on the Test match against England now. Whatever happened, that’s history now, that’s gone. So let’s move on and focus on our next assignment,” he added.