Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian skipper has said that the topic of the team’s batting collapse in Adelaide where they registered lowest ever Test score of 36 in a humiliating loss wasn’t up for discussion after arriving in Melbourne.
Ajinkya Rahane made this disclosure in a post-match interview after India won 2nd Test to level Test series 1-1 with the Sony Sports network.
Ajinkya Rahane (Image Credit: Google)
Ajinkya Rahane: Indian Team Didn’t Discuss Topic Of Adelaide Debacle
Ajinkya Rahane said that the team was involved in a couple of practice sessions in Melbourne where they did not discuss Adelaide when asked whether the Indian team talked about Adelaide debacle during the six-day break before the Melbourne Test.
“We didn’t touch that topic at all. We came to Melbourne and did not practice much as well. We had two sessions after coming to Melbourne,” said Ajinkya Rahane.
Ajinkya Rahane observed that all of the players in Test squad focused solely on their training and responsibilities and did not have any apprehensions about their abilities because of a particular poor session in Adelaide, as they had prepared well before the start of the series.
“All the players were focusing a lot on the training. As Test players, we had come here one month back. So we had prepared well. You cannot doubt your ability if one hour goes bad,” added Ajinkya Rahane.
Mohammed Siraj. Image Credit: Getty Images.
The stand-in captain pointed out and stressed the fact that it was just a matter of having a positive intent after the poor batting display besides adding that the team did not indulge in any discussions about Adelaide.
“We just had to correct our attitude, intent and mindset. So, we did not talk at all about the Adelaide Test match.”
India registered a comeback victory in 2nd Test at Melbourne by winning by the same margin of 8 wickets after dominant batting and bowling performances. India had squandered the advantage in 1st Test where they had a first innings lead as they were dismissed for 36 setting Australia target of 90 which they achieved without many hiccups.
Ajinkya Rahane scored 112 and debutant pacer Mohammed Siraj picked 5 wickets in the match. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah picked 6 wickets and guided him in his debut Test.
Ajinkya Rahane Lauded Ravindra Jadeja For His All-Round Show In Melbourne
Ajay Jadeja asked stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane if the five-bowler strategy was decided because India were behind in the series or the pitch was the reason behind it and whether it will be the norm going ahead.
The Mumbai batsman responded that Ravindra Jadeja as an all-rounder was always under consideration from the beginning of Test series but he was not fit to be fielded in Adelaide as India were always considering to play a fifth bowler all-rounder.
“This discussion was going on right from the beginning. Jadeja was not fit for the first Test, but we were considering to play five bowlers, with the fifth bowler being an all-rounder.”
Ajinkya Rahane was full of praise for Ravindra Jadeja for his all-round performance in the Melbourne Test. He added that the team management decided to play Ravindra Jadeja as the 5th bowling all-round option and acknowledged that the pitch conditions played a role in taking such calls.
“We saw that in this Test match. Jadeja’s contribution on the field, then first with the bat and after that his bowling. Combination changes sometimes based on the wicket but we felt that we should play Jadeja in this match,” pointed out Ajinkya Rahane.
Ravindra Jadeja. Image Credit: Getty Images.
Ajinkya Rahane concluded by observing that Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion in XI turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as pacer Umesh Yadav injured himself in the middle of his 4th over during the Australian second innings.
“Luckily in the second innings after Umesh got injured, playing a fifth bowler proved to be handy,” concluded Ajinkya Rahane.
It was indeed a bold call taken by Ajinkya Rahane and the team management to play an all-rounder in the form of Ravindra Jadeja instead of a batsman in the Boxing Day Test in the aftermath of the Adelaide batting debacle.
The decision certainly paid rich dividends, as Ravindra Jadeja starred with both the bat and the ball. The southpaw scored a crucial 57 in the first innings and then accounted for three Australian wickets in the Test match apart from his usual brilliant display in the field.
