The team India deputy Ajinkya Rahane was satisfied by the team’s performance on the opening day of the third Test match. Rahane scored a fine 81 to get back to form as he stitched a crucial partnership of 159 runs with Virat Kohli.
Thus, India was able to end Day 1 with 307 on the board for the loss of six wickets. Subsequently, it was the best collective batting effort from the tourists. Indian openers gave a good start as they put together an alliance of 60 runs.
Ajinkya Rahane was able to hit back into form.
Rahane and Kohli played some delightful shots in their fine alliance. In fact, the pair batted in the topmost gear in the final session as the runs were coming thick and fast.
“I think it’s a good score on this wicket. Me and Virat, we were planning to put pressure on the bowlers. In the end, it was a good score I think,” he said.
“We were thinking that if we get a good start and if the top order does well, the middle order can capitalize. That’s what we were doing. Me and Virat were focusing on rotating the strike and put the bad balls to the boundary,” he added.
Rahane also spoke about Rishabh Pant who was given his maiden Test cap. Pant smashed his second ball to six which goes to show his confidence at the big stage.
“He’s been doing well for India A and scoring runs. He’s high on confidence and that’s what matters in international cricket,” Rahane said.
Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane must have faced Ben Stokes in the nets while leading the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Thus, the Indian deputy believes it helped him counter attack England’s all-rounder.
“As I spent more time in the middle, I became comfortable. We all know Stokes, he plays with me in the IPL (both the players play for Rajasthan Royals), so that helps I guess. It’s about taking one ball at a time and giving your best. We were looking to bat first, our intent was positive,” he said.
It was a crucial knock for Ajinkya Rahane as he was able to get back his Midas touch. Rahane has looked out of sorts in the recent past for India and thus this knock would have acted as a shot in the arm for him.
