There is seriously something really magical about the way in which Ajinkya Rahane bats. Undoubtedly, among the most elegant batsmen of the modern era, Rahane still has that touch of old school in him, with his approach to the game and his style of play. As compared to his other peers and co batsmen like Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, Rahane isn’t someone of the same muscular strength or aesthetics, but it’s the sheer beauty radiating out of his willow which separates him.
The Mumbai batsman’s ODI career though so far, has been like a typical sea saw, meeting with a start-pause style throughout. An ODI career average in the low 30’s is far from depicting the true style of his batting. But to be fair to the right hander, he hasn’t been given enough chances at a certain position. The elegant batsman has had to play musical chairs with his batting order throughout.
He played an impactful, yet extremely patient knock at Antigua, as his half century saved India after losing two quick wickets at the top. Post a match winning knock, Rahane opened up and mentioned that his hunger to do well in ODI’s, finally came to the fore.
“When I was not playing in the Champions Trophy I was focusing on my fitness training as well as my batting,” Rahane said. “It is good to learn something or the other about your batting and about your fitness as well but when we came here I was hungry and wanted to do well. I was batting well in the nets here as well as in England. So, I wanted to make it count.”
Speaking about his slow approach, the batsman said, “I can make up for it. This wicket was completely different,” he added. “I do practice different shots in the nets but in the game situation, you have to read the conditions and play according to that. I was completely comfortable in the middle. I knew I took some time but I knew if I stay there I can make it count in the end. I was not worried at all and I don’t take things for granted.”
“That was a perfect innings for me as an opening batsman,” Rahane said. “Even before that game I got 62 runs and I was batting really well. In the second game, I wanted to make it really count, the century felt really good.”