Preparation according to match is key to success: Ajinkya Rahne
Jan 6, 2019 at 3:51 AM
Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahne feels the Black Cap spin trio Micthell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig will pose a challenge to the Indian batsmen from the first Test of the series, starting from September 27 at Green Park, Kanpur.
The vice-captain of the side the World T20 loss against New Zealand at Jamtha, Nagpur will not affect India as this time India will start as a clear favourite at home.
. “You don’t want to look into the past. You want to do well in the future, dominate in the next game,” he tells India Today television in an interview.
But New Zealand are a balanced Test side and have batsmen who can spin well and have a bowler who can take 20 wickets. “We are aware New Zealand is a decent team. It’s important to respect your opponents,” says Rahane.
Rahane over the years has become an influential member of the team. During the four-match West Indies series, besides Kohli, Rahane was the only batsman who played all the matches of the Test series.
“I don’t know how the wickets will be. But it will help the spinners. We have some quality spinners and we know our conditions well,” he lets the opposition know.
Rahane unlike every other India regular is not dismissive of the notion that modern Indiana batsmen don’t play spin as well but thinks some hard work will do the trick. “We are all practising against spin. We played South Africa and West Indies. We are batting a lot better against spin,” he says.
Indian middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane feels “preparations to match” is key to the success of a batsman. The first Test of the New Zealand series will start on September 27. He didn’t play the Duleep trophy final instead preferred to stay at home.
The stylish right-handed batsman said, “I am focusing on defence. Rather than looking at more shots for the upcoming season, defence will be the key to the home season.”
Rahane is a consistent batsman and has the ability to adapt in any place of the batting order. He said, “I am a good batsman at any position. I batted at 3 in domestic cricket but have been at 5 most of Tests. Only in Sri Lanka, I batted at 3. Frankly, I am comfortable at any position. At the highest level, batting position does not matter. It’s about how well you can read the situation and adapt. At any number, the technique remains the same, just adjustments need to be made. I can bat at any number or position.”
But Rahane in the last a few matches Rahane came to bat at No. 5, so he is taking a preparation accordingly.
“Conditions have to be read and the match situation. Batting at 5, that becomes most important because the top four have batted with a certain momentum. At 5, you have to bat sometimes after 50-55 overs or you also have to face the new ball. So it’s important to be flexible in your mind,” he says.
India following the New Zealand will play a tough home series against England in November and in March against Australia.