Ajinkya Rahane, India’s stand-in skipper for the recent Tests in Australia, was a figure of poise throughout a rather turbulent series, earning plaudits for the composed manner in which he handled the side in their historic win.

Upon his return to India, Rahane was welcomed by his family and friends in his neighbourhood and was offered to cut a cake that had a Kangaroo designed over it. However, in a video that did the rounds on social media, Rahane seemingly opted out of cutting the cake.

In a recent chat with Cricbuzz presenter Harsha Bhogle, Rahane gave the reason behind his refusal to use a knife over the kangaroo figurine, a move that was praised by many on social media.

“Kangaroo is their national animal, and… I don’t want to do that [cut the cake],” Rahane told Bhogle. “You give your opposition respect, you treat them well, even if you win or even if you create history. But I think you have to have respect for your opponent. You have to respect other countries. That is why I took the decision against cutting the cake with a kangaroo on it.”

Always wanted to ask @ajinkyarahane88 about the cake he was offered with a kangaroo on it and why he refused to cut it. The small things that tell you more about a person. More of this conversation on his FB page. pic.twitter.com/YZwwQKlFJq

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 30, 2021

By now all of us know that Rahane had refused to cut the kangaroo cake.

I do not know whether cricketers inspire you.

But if they do, let this one be an inspiration.

Let us not hurt others in our celebrations – in cricket or otherwise.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) January 22, 2021

Rahane denied cutting the cake with a kangaroo. At this rate, he might just overtake Dravid as the nicest guy in cricket.

— Ajay (@ajay_dh) January 22, 2021

Rahane conceded that he was “tired, but in a good way” after a gruelling schedule that saw most of the Indian players being in a bio-bubble for five months, leaving for the Australia tour right after the IPL. He admitted that he had moved on from all his focus around captaincy, and is looking forward to the upcoming series against England in the capacity of a batsman.

“Yeah, that phase is over, I am no longer captain. Just focussing on the Test matches against England now. Whatever happened, that is history now. Let’s move on.”