Team India opening batsman Ajinkya Rahane who scored a fluent half-century during the 2nd ODI against Australia at the Eden Gardens has backed Manish Pandey, and Kedar Jadhav to do well and stated that the team management is behind them and giving them more matches to come good at the international level on a consistent basis.
Manish Pandey had scored a duck and three in the first two matches against the Aussies after an impressive series against Sri Lanka, while Kedar Jadhav had looked in a good touch in both the matches, but had failed to convert his starts just when he was looking to up the ante.
Besides praising the batsmen, Rahane also heaped praises on the two wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal who has been simply sensational in the series so far.
While Kuldeep became the 3rd Indian bowler to bag an ODI hat-trick during the 2nd ODI, Chahal’s immaculate bowling and wicket taking abilities have helped India take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and will look to seal the deal on Sunday in the 3rd ODI at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
However, despite India’s brilliant performance in the first two ODI’s Rahane said he and the team are not taking the visitors lightly, as they are well aware of the fact that they are a quality side. Here are some of the excerpts of what Rahane had to say in the pre-match press conference.
On Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav?
“They just played two games; they did well in Sri Lanka. The team management is backing them. Manish and Kedar are quality players, and it’s important to give confidence to your players. It happens to professional players. Sometimes you score runs; sometimes you don’t. It’s important to back them. They’re great players, and team management is backing them.”
On Flexibility of India;s middle-order?
“It’s mentally. The good thing about this team is anyone can bat anywhere. I bat at 4, 5, 1 and it’s important how you visualize that situation and how you handle it. It’s completely in your mind, if you can adjust in your mind, you can adapt anywhere.”
The strategy for the Indore ODI?
“I haven’t seen the wicket. Boundaries are small. If we do our best in batting, bowling and fielding, we have a good chance to win. But we are not taking things for granted, Australia are a quality team, and we are respecting our opponents. We are just taking one game at a time and right now we want to win this game.”