Ajinkya Rahane has denied claims of India planning to get under the skin of England players in the third Test at Headingley. The India and England’s 2nd Test at Lord’s was truly an epic cricketing contest.
The manner in which India came from behind to beat England by 151 runs remains a testament to the side’s credentials. Other than outplaying England on the 22-yard pitch, the visitors also had an upper hand on the hosts when it came to verbal duels.
Ajinkya Rahane: India Not Thinking Anything Like Getting Under England’s Skin In Headingley Too
Since India’s dramatic victory over England at Lord’s, fans have been contemplating whether Virat Kohli’s men have been planning to get under the skin of the hosts in Headingley, the venue of the 3rd Test too. When Ajinkya Rahane was asked this question at the pre-match press conference ahead of the third Test, he categorically denied it. He rather mentioned that for India, it is important to play good cricket.
“We are not thinking anything like that (getting under England’s skin). For us, what’s important is to play good cricket, staying at the moment and play one game at a time,” Rahane said while addressing the media.
![Ajinkya Rahane [Image-Twitter]](https://media.zenfs.com/en/cricket_addictor_924/6c07b718a187df68cb268b5bbde317c2 "I Am Happy People Are Talking About Me: Ajinkya Rahane On Constant Scrutiny Of His Form 33")
“What has happened in the last game, we just have to forget, we have to take positives and move on. Because every game is really important because of the (World Test) Championship,” he added.
Ajinkya Rahane has been a man in the spotlight. From leading the Indian team to a historic Test series triumph in Australia to silencing his critics with a half-century in the Lord’s Test, Ajinkya Rahane has constantly been talked about. Speculations over the Indian team management looking to replace Ajinkya Rahane have also been rife of late but the India Test vice-captain’s fighting 61-run knock in the second Test has eased a bit of pressure.
Ajinkya Rahane, who failed with the bat in the 1st innings at Lord’s managing just one run, came back with a crucial 61-run knock in the 2nd innings also having posed an important partnership of 100 runs with Cheteshwar Pujara. Both the batsmen rescued India from a tense situation; after the team lost three quick wickets in the 1st session in the form of Virat Kohli (20), Rohit Sharma (21), and KL Rahul (5).
Ajinkya Rahane Loves To Be In Focus And Isn’t Concerned With Criticism
During the press conference, Ajinkya Rahane even asserted that he is happy to be in the focus and being talked about as much. While the pressure to deliver is understandably high, the veteran batsman is thinking of contributing in every manner possible to the team’s cause.
“I am happy people are talking about me, I always believe people talk about important people. I am not too concerned about that, it is all about contribution for the team. Cheteshwar and I have been playing for a long, we know how to handle pressure and certain situations.
“We are not concerned about them, we are focusing on the team. We just want to contribute for the side, whatever we cannot control, we are not thinking about that,” he had said.
The Headingley challenge is expected to be a big one for India considering the team’s record at the venue. Ajinkya Rahane, who is considered one of India’s best batters overseas, will surely have a big role to play.
Indian tailenders Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah smashed a match-winning stand of 89 runs in the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test against England, which became a big reason for India’s victory at Lord’s. Earlier, the team was railing at 208-8 at the start of Day 5, having a 181-run lead.