Opening up in a video interview, the top-order Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane talked all things cricket.
From fitness and food to sledging, entertainment and marriage in one-on-one discussion after Virat Kohli’s side is leading the ongoing three-match Test series 2-0, as Pujara admitted he has a sort of interest in sledging.
“I am still learning the art of sledging. Sledging is something which has to be done if the need arises because at times the bowlers do need some help, but it can’t be personal,” the 29-year-old Pujara told BCC.tv.
While reflecting on the partnership of 217-run for the fourth wicket between Pujara and Rahane in the Colombo Test when former asked the latter what was going through his mind when he came out to bat, in the second Test at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.
“I wanted to take my time initially. To gain momentum you need to take risks,” Rahane told in response to Pujara.
The 29-year-old Maharashtra-born top-order batsman Rahane after his knock of 132 on a spin-friendly wicket has steadied the ship after the visitors were 133 for three on the very first day of the third Test last week, as he has the craving for the food, adding he enjoys reading out the books in his leisure time.
“I like Chinese and Japanese cuisine. I generally like reading sports books and mostly autobiographies,” Rahane further added.
The right-handed batsman Rahane was looking for the loose balls after noticing the pitch was doing a bit for the slow bowlers early on.
“I wanted to look for the bad balls, because we felt that the wicket was going to become dangerous,” Rahane said.
The quality batsman Rahane, who has been at the forefront, had a different plan against Lankan spinners while revealing he was aiming to go after them to dent their morale while playing in their backyard.
“To gain momentum, you need to take risks. I was visualizing the scenario and wanted to unsettle the spinners,” Rahane maintained.
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Known for playing longer innings, Rahane went on to say playing ball according to merit work wonders, as the feet moment makes things tougher for the opponent equally.
“The moment we started using our feet, their spinners weren’t quite sure where to land the ball,” Rahane remarked.
Earlier, in the introductory part of the nine-minute interview for the digital medium of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rahane revealed he opened up after getting married with Radhika Dhopavkar, as the promising right-handed batsman was interviewed by Pujara at the SSC after India won the second Test by an innings and 53 runs.
“I have started talking more ever since I got married,” Rahane revealed.
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While responding to ‘less talking’ comment Rahane, who enjoys spending quality time with his family members, further went on to say it has further helped him to shape up in the different formats of the elite-level cricket.
“Staying calm has helped me perform across all formats and has also helped me in my decision-making. I like a simple approach in all three formats,” Rahane maintained.
While revealing about his approach, Pujara feels one has to give best and he is expecting more while putting on hard fight into the game, in a bid to go strength to strength.
“I have always felt that getting a hundred is not always enough,” Pujara concluded before both signed off.
Watch the conversation between top-order batsmen here:
#TeamIndia batsmen @ajinkyarahane88 & @cheteshwar1 in conversation after the 2nd Test win – by @28anand https://t.co/XCAkPMjj2W… #SLvIND
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 8, 2017