Ajinkya Rahane will gain valuable experience by leading India says Vengsarkar

Mumbai, July 1 (IANS) Former India skipper and ex-chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar on Tuesday hailed batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who was named Indian team's captain for the Zimbabwe series, as a consistent performer who has come of age, and said he will gain valuable experience in his new role.

"It's good news. He will gain valuable experience leading India. I think he has come of age. It's an honour for a cricketer to lead the country. He's been playing very well and scored runs against all opposition," Vengsarkar said.

Rahane was on Monday named captain of the 15-member team that will tour Zimbabwe in July as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, among other seniors, were rested. India face the hosts in the first One-Day International (ODI) on July 10.

"He's focused, passionate, consistent, very disciplined and is very consistent which the hallmark of a good cricketer," said Vengsakar, who is the vice president of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and chairman of MCA's Cricket Improvement Commitee (CIC).

He specially praised Rahane for his Lord's Test ton against England last season.

"The hundred he made at Lord's was brilliant. I watched that innings and rate it very high as it came when India had lost wickets. It was a crucial innings (103) from the team's point of view as India won that game," Vengsarkar said.