India have been on a run of form that comes along once in a generation. After the Australian team of the early and mid-2000s dominated world cricket, with the ruthlessness that was reminiscent of the West Indies team of yesteryear, no one would have thought it could be recreated. But the current Indian side now stands at the doors of history, having equalled Australia’s record of nine consecutive Test series wins, with a chance to usurp the Aussies.

“India have a good chance of beating the South African cricket team. This team has the potential to do wonders and make history.

But it wasn’t Kohli that Rajput singled out for special praise. Just as it looked like Rohit was finally cementing his place in the Test side with three half-centuries in five innings, he succumbed to an injury that kept him out of the team for back to back series against England and Australia. However, once he was back, Rohit was back to his best and with a century and two half-centuries in 3 innings, he has given the management a wanted selection headache. 

Rohit, who is leading the team in Kohli’s absence, scored his third ODI double hundred – a feat that is not going to be overtaken by anyone apart from him in the near future. Rajput said that he was happy for the stand-in skipper after his struggles with injuries.

“Now, things seem good. He did well in the Sri Lanka Tests and hopefully will continue his good form.”

Rajput, who played a big part in Afghanistan’s rise in world cricket, praised the BCCI for their decision to host their Asian neighbours’ Test debut.

“They (Afghanistan) have naturally talented players who want to excel. The good thing is that they’ll play against top teams. Five-day cricket is a different ball game and they’ll get to learn a lot,” he said.