The former Indian wicket-keeper says the similarity in Mumbai and Melbourne opening day wicket prompted stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane to use Ashwin early on Day 1.
Australia opted to bat first the MCG on Saturday morning but the decision backfired as the hosts went three down for 65 at lunch.
India vs Australia 2nd Test, Day 1: Team India emerge on top after folding Australia for 195 and then remaining on 36/1 on day 1 of Boxing Day Test
While Kohli's absence can never be really compensated for, Rahane would like to show his character by promoting himself up the batting order.
Rahane revealed Kohli had dinner with the team before leaving for India on paternity leave; urged the team to play for each other and enjoy each other's success and help each other out on the field.
Rahane admits on being at fault for running out Kohli in the first Test when the Indian skipper was just 26 runs away from his first century of the year.
Rahane is standing in for regular skipper Virat Kohli who has returned to India to attend the birth of his first child.
Rahane will lead Team India in the last three Tests as Kohli has left for home on paternity leave.
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer send a "hidden message" to Ajinkya Rahane, as the Mumbai batsman prepares to lead the side in the rest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beginning from the MCG Test in December 26.
More than the leadership responsibility, Rahane will also be replacing Kohli the batsman, and latter responsibility has been a major issue with him over the last few years.
India lost the opener in Adelaide following a horrifying collapse that saw the visitors succumb to 36 for nine in the second innings on day 3, their lowest ever Test total.
India started Day 3 of the pink-ball Test with a lead of 62 runs but they ended up collapsing for a record total of 36 -- their lowest of all time in Test cricket. Australia ended up winning the match by eight wickets.
Kohli, who looked in complete command, was run out when his deputy Ajinkya Rahane backed out after calling for a single.
Earlier in the day, India were struck with an early blow after electing to bat first. Opener Prithvi Shaw, continuing his woeful form with the bat, was bowled by Mitchell Starc's swinging delivery.
On Wednesday, even skipper Virat Kohli said that he expects his deputy to do a "tremendous job" in his absence and follow the "template" set by the team.
The BCCI on Wednesday announced India's playing XI for the first Test against Australia, which begins at the Adelaide Oval from December 17. It will be India's first Day/Night Test on overseas soil.
Virat Kohli said that both he and Rahane have a mutual understanding which is based on trust.
Rahane will be leading the side in the last three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Series once Virat Kohli returns to India to attend the birth of his first child.
In the list of all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja is the highest-ranked Indian, currently occupying the third spot. Ashwin is placed at the sixth spot.
Indian vice-captain Rahane will be leading the team in absence of Virat Kohli in last three Test matches against Australia.
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