IPL 2020: Who is Rahane's other idol?

James Jose - Rahane is excited at the prospect of working under another one of his heroes

Indian Test batsman Ajinkya Rahane looks up to Rahul Dravid for inspiration and it goes without saying that his stance and some of his shots are a copybook of the former Indian captain.
The Mumbaikar was under Dravid's tutelage during his time with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has matured as a batsman.
Following his second stint with the Royals, Rahane was roped in by the Delhi Capitals at the auction last December.
And as he tries to revive his white-ball career at the international level, Rahane was excited at the prospect of working under another one of his heroes - Ricky Ponting.
Following his acquisition by the Delhi Capitals, the 32-year-old had expressed his desire to work with the former Australian captain, who is coach of the franchise.
"Always admired Ricky sir. I used to copy his batting, I'm really looking forward to working under him," Rahane had said back in April this year.
And that wish has come true Rahane.
As the Capitals prepare for this season's IPL in the UAE, Rahane got the golden opportunity to work under the Aussie great.
Rahane spent a fair share of the net session under the watchful eyes of Ponting, at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai.
Ponting gave Rahane a few tips with regard to his stance and grip as well as his backlift. As Rahane punched one off the backfoot, Ponting, who was witnessing from close quarters, said: "Beautiful, Jinks."
Ponting gave Rahane another tip about the length and where he could hit that and the latter followed that to the 'T,' whipping one onto the onside. To which, Ponting remarked: "Shot, mate."
Rahane later tweeted: "So much to learn @RickyPonting."
Later, Rahane enjoyed a fielding session, where he took a blinder at backward point.
Rahane is 11th on the all-time list of run-getters with 3,820 from 140 matches, with two centuries and 27 fifties. His highest score is 105 not out which he scored last season.
Rahane has played 65 Tests and scored 4203 runs with 11 hundreds and 22 half-centuries. His highest score of 188 came against New Zealand in Indore in October 2016.
Rahane has also played 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is but the last of those came in 2018 and 2016 respectively.
He has scored 2962 runs in ODIs with three centuries and 24 fifties.
The Delhi Capitals start their campaign against Kings XI Punjab at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 20.
james@khaleejtimes.com

• IPL 2019