India, May 3 -- The first thing that Ajinkya Rahane did was to apologise to everyone for arriving 10 minutes late for the meeting. Those who have interacted with Rahane are well aware of the Kolkata Knight Riders captain's traits. Always polite, mindful of others' feelings. After the bitterly fought home series in 2017, which India won, Rahane, leading the side in Virat Kohli's absence in the last Test in Dharamsala, was invited by then-Australia captain Steve Smith for a beer to let bygones be bygones. "I will speak to the team and let you know," he had said. The beer reunion between India and Australia did not take place but Rahane was polite and considerate enough to acknowledge Smith.

On the cricket field, however, there is another s...