VISAKHAPATNAM , OCT 01,
Ajinkya Rahane is short, light and possesses delicate touch. He plays the ball late, dances down, and has busy feet and mind.
Rahane’s back-foot play, balance, his ability to play the cut and the pull in particular, have made him a valuable member of the Indian team on tours, particularly away from the subcontinent.
Yet, there have been occasions when his inability to consolidate and kick on have created barriers for the Indian Test vice-captain.Under stress
The Mumbai batsman was under some stress ahead of India’s tour of the West Indies. His place was on the line.
“It was an important tour for me. I had to have belief in my ability and look to contribute to my team without putting pressure on myself,” he said here on Monday.
Rahane observed, “I relied more on my mental ability. I was not thinking too much about any technical stuff and came through the tough situations in the Caribbean.”
When India lost early wickets, Rahane was both solid and enterprising in the middle.
He made 81 and 102 in Antigua, 24 and 64 not out in Kingston, at times batting with the tail.
The 31-year-old Rahane said, “When you bat with the tail, you need to trust them.”
Stay in the present
Talking about the upcoming Test series against South Africa, Rahane revealed, “I am looking to stay in the moment and in the present, like I did in the West Indies.”
He added, “They have some good players and a few have done well in the practice games. You need to respect your opponents. Now, with the World Test championship coming in, every game is important.”
Rahane noted, “Every series, both home and away, has its own challenges. Preparation is very important.”
Extra option
Asked about the pitch and the composition of the attack, Rahane revealed little but said, “With Hanuma Vihari in the side, he gives us a the extra option with his off-spin.”
And Rahane has been involved in some productive partnerships with Vihari with the bat when the team needed them.
Rahane said, “And with Vihari coming in at No. 6, there are quite a few times when No. 5 and No. 6 have batted together and we have understood each other very well. Communication is vital.”
With his sound defence, fluid footwork, and rapier-like strokes Rahane promises much ahead of the Protea test.
