Tim Paine, Australian skipper said that Ajinkya Rahane was the glue that held the Virat Kohli-led side together when they managed to emerge triumphant in a Test series for the first time Down Under in 2018-19. So, all in all. Australia had set focus on the prominent batsman like Rahane.
The first Test of the four-match series between Australia and India, beginning on December 17, will be played at the Adelaide Oval and it will be a day-night contest. Australia has the best record in day-night Tests as the side has not lost a single match out of 7 matches that have been played with the pink ball.
Tim Paine: Cheteshwar Pujara Troubled Australia Lot In 2018-19 But Ajinkya Rahane Held The Team Together
Indian skipper Virat Kohli would be playing the first Test against Australia and he would head back home after the conclusion of the Adelaide Test as he has been granted paternity leave by the BCCI owing to the birth of the first child.
Once Virat Kohli leaves, Ajinkya Rahane would be leading the Indian side for the remaining three Test matches. Ajinkya Rahane had prior experience of captaining in tests as under him, India won both the tests he captained-one against Australia and another against Afghanistan at home.
“When Kohli leaves, we know the talent they have in their side. Pujara obviously troubled us a lot last time around so he is a big key for us, but we know the talent they have, we saw Rishabh Pant hitting a very quick hundred in the second practice game so they have got guys who can take away the Test match pretty quickly. Clearly, Rahane held the team together last time, he was the glue last time around so he is a huge focus for us,” said Tim Paine while replying to an ANI query during a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
During the 2018-19 series, which India won 2-1, Tim Paine was the one who was involved in some verbal battles with compatriot Virat Kohli especially during the Perth Test.
When ANI asked about whether Tim Paine will once again look to do the same, Tim Paine replied that Australia will try to execute plans and skills with bat and ball but sometimes matter can get out of control.
“Look in terms of what goes on the field, we have to wait and see, you do not go into a match thinking that you will have run-ins with the opposition camp or be overly aggressive, we will just try to execute our plans and skills with bat and ball, at times thing on the field can be a bit wiery, if they are it is for sure that this team would not be taking a backward step,” Tim Paine added.
Cheteshwar Pujara top-scored with 521 runs in 4 tests averaging a staggering 74.43 while Rishabh Pant scored 350 runs averaging 58.33. Virat Kohli scored 282 runs and Ajinkya Rahane scored 217 runs. The series did not see David Warner and Steve Smith participating due to a year-long ban for ball-tampering allegations. Tim Paine was assigned captaincy in Steve Smith’s absence.
Tim Paine: Australia Expect Steve Smith To Play The 1st Test As He Had A Stiff Back Several Times Before
Steve Smith left Australia’s training session early due to back soreness at the Adelaide Oval, a few days before the match started which sent alarm bells ringing ahead of the first Test against India.
David Warner and Will Pucovski have already been ruled out of the first Test against India after suffering injuries. While David Warner had a groin injury, Will Pucovski suffered a concussion in a practice warm-up game against India.
“Dave won’t be there but we expect Steve to be there. Steve’s had a stiff back a number of times before and you do when you bat at training as much as he does. But his preparation has been very good, he has batted for the last week since we’ve been in Adelaide, so for him to have a day off might actually be a blessing in disguise yesterday,” Tim Paine added further.
“He’s played all the ODIs, once we got to Adelaide, he batted for four days straight. So his preparation has been pretty good. He’s in to train today, so we’ll see how he goes, but come tomorrow, whether he’s fit and sore in the back, or stiff in the back, I think he normally gets up, gets through it, and finds a way to score runs like he always does,” he concluded.
The first Test of the series, a pink-ball contest under lights, will begin on December 17 at Adelaide. Australia had won the ODI series 2-1 while the Men in Blue walked away with the honours in the T20I series winning the series by the same margin.