The no.1-ranked Test team India struggled the entire day one of the Antigua Test against the host side Windies. Only Ajinkya Rahane‘s batting performance was the bright sign for India in that entire day. While Rahane is not too concerned about missing his century, he feels that they are currently in a decent position.
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On the rain-interrupted day one of the opening Test of the two-match Test series, Windies captain Jason Holder sent India to bat first. Coming out to bat at the struggling situation on 25/3, Indian Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane guided the team to secure a fighting first innings total. The right-handed batsman scored 81 runs off 163 balls (10 fours) that helped India to end that day on 203/6.
Batting on 19 runs away from his first international century since August 2017, Rahane managed an inside edge which hit on his leg stump. However, Rahane has no concern for missing that deserving century.
At the end of the day one, Rahane said about missing his century, “I knew this question was coming and I was ready. As long as I am at the crease, I am thinking about my team, I am not a selfish guy. So yes, I am not too concerned about the hundred as I thought 81 on that wicket was really crucial as we are now in a decent position.
“See, as long as I am contributing for my team is what matters. Yes, I was thinking about my hundred but the situation we are in – 25/3 was tricky. As I have said, I just thought if I could contribute for my team. I am not too concerned about my hundred as that will come automatically.”
The partnership with KL Rahul was crucial at that situation – Ajinkya Rahane
Soon in the morning session, India went down to 25/3. Opener Mayank Agarwal (5 runs), Cheteshwar Pujara (2 runs) and Virat Kohli (9 runs) lost their wickets cheaply. Then another opener KL Rahul handled that situation well along with Rahane. They had a 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Rahul lost his wicket on 44 runs.
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Rahane feels that Rahul and his partnership was very crucial in that pressure moment.
He claimed, “At the start of our innings, the wicket was tricky. It was a bit sticky (spongy bounce) and there was sideways movement. Throughout the day, they bowled pretty well. What was important was to have a partnership going and still be positive in our intent. The partnership with Rahul was crucial at that situation. We were not thinking too far ahead. The motive was to play one ball at a time and take it on from there.”
Hanuma Vihari’s approach was pretty good
Later, Rahane had the 82 runs partnership along with Hanuma Vihari for the fifth wicket. Vihari was caught behind on 32 runs, but Pujara was happy on Vihari’s approach.
Pujara said, “Vihari is a guy who has got lots of runs in Ranji Trophy and first-class cricket, and he knows how to bat in these situations. So all these guys, who play a lot of India A games know how to bat in these conditions in five-day games. So I thought Vihari’s approach was pretty good, not only here but even in Australia.”
Talking more about himself, Rahane wanted to take his team to a good position.
He added, “For me, it was important as we were playing a Test match after a long time, nearly seven months (vs Australia in January) and I wanted to hang in there, play as many balls possible and take my team to good position.”
At the end of the day one, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant (20 runs) and the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (3 runs) remained not out.