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.
Ahead of the second 'Boxing Day' Test against India, the Australian team on Friday got together for a Christmas lunch.
Rahane is standing in for regular skipper Virat Kohli who has returned to India to attend the birth of his first child.
From Sehwag's 195 to Bumrah's 6-for, the Boxing Day Test has served fans with many memorable moments over the past few decades.
It is likely that KL Rahul won't feature in the second Test with Hanuma Vihari to retain his spot and will bat at no. 4.
Chappell writes in his column that both India and Australia are evenly matched but it's the Oz bowling attack that gives the hosts an edge.
The Australian skipper reminds the hosts they can't let their guard down after winning the first Test and must go into the second Test with all their might.
Opener KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant could be in line for recalls, with Prithvi Shaw and Wriddhiman Saha in danger of being dropped.
The former Indian batsman stressed that last week's freak occurrence doesn't define Indian players who have experience of performing around the world.
The 2011 World Cup winner bats for KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill's inclusion in the playing XI.
The legendary wrist-spinner feels Shami's absence on drop-in pitches will hurt India while Australians have the best bowling unit for the Melbourne wicket.
India have won just one Boxing Day Test in the last 35 years; latest coming at the 2018 Australia Tour.
The board contingency plan is to work with Victorian government to host the Australia vs India third Test in Melbourne if Sydney is rendered untenable to host the game over COVID-19 surge in the region.
The head coach acknowledged the strength Australian bowling unit but said they are doing some work on their batting and fielding.
The legend feels that happens to batsmen when they have too many things going on in their heads or if they are expecting a short delivery.
The former Indian opener feels that Team India would reflect on their mistake and come back stronger against Australia, who don't have a strong batting line-up without David Warner.
Smith hasn't met with his wife Dani Willis in four months due to being part of biosecurity bubbles in various tournaments and will have to wait longer due to COVID-19.
The Australian head coach says he would have to be very courageous to change a team that won so convincingly in Adelaide.
Feels Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami absences have done irreparable damage to India's series-winning ambitions.
The legendary cricketer suggests KL Rahul as the opener instead of Prithvi Shaw; Shubman Gill in the lower middle-order.
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