I know how to build my innings at number 4: Ajinkya Rahane

India won the first ODI against South Africa in Durban by six wickets on the back of a scintillating 33rd century from the skipper Virat Kohli. But behind the scenes which worked well for the team was the knock of Ajinkya Rahane who batted serenely at number 4. He was tipped as the reserve opener of the Indian side until the start of the series and suddenly found himself at number 4 position in the lineup. However, Rahane himself has claimed that he is better equipped to bat at the position for the team in ODIs.

Men in Blue tried the likes of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav and Dinesh Karthik at 4 during the long home season. But all returned with the mixed results as none of them performed consistently and won games for the team. On the eve of the first ODI, Kohli made it clear that Rahane was the best option to play at the much-debated position over the wickets which had pace and showed faith in him to come good in the World Cup next year as well.

Batting at 4 is different

Ajinkya Rahane stressed the fact that he is much better equipped to bat in the middle-order for India now. He also went on to say that he is matured ODI cricketer now which should come as a huge sigh of relief for the Indian fans. “I am better equipped for batting at number four, I am more matured now. I know how to build my innings at number four,” he told reporters in the pre-match conference in Centurion.

The 29-year-old also said that he gained confidence from his 48-run knock in Johannesburg which he scored on a tough pitch. “Batting at number four is different. The confidence came from last Test win at Johannesburg, where I scored 48 runs. But I was actually determined to do well at that slot because I have batted at that position during the 2015 World Cup (in Australia and New Zealand),” Rahane said.

The new number 4 of the Indian team also added that the wickets in South Africa suit his style of batsmanship which will be the likely conditions more or less in England next year. “I am naturally an attacking batsman and these wickets suit me a lot. There is good pace and bounce. So these wickets suit me a lot. So my plan was to take my time initially and if I get set, then carry on my innings,” he concluded.

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