Our batsmen will dominate South African spinners: Ajinkya Rahane

Our batsmen will dominate South African spinners: Ajinkya Rahane: Ajinkya Rahane is fast becoming India’s most reliable batsman in Test cricket. Indian cricket has been plagued with poor overseas shows for quite some time now but Rahane is ray of hope having played vital knocks outside the subcontinent. His axing from the playing XI of 2^nd ODI in Bangladesh made him even stronger as he led India to an impressive 5-0 whitewash in Zimbabwe. Having played his part in India’s historic series win in Sri Lanka the classy batsman is now focused on the South African challenge and expects India to dominate the visitors at home.

Sounding confident about the spin challenge the hosts will face Rahane in an interview to the PTI said that: “I believe we have played spinners as well as we have done against fast bowlers. We have done well against the spinners. Okay, we have got out to them, but we have dominated them too. In Sri Lanka, our motive was to give our bowlers enough time. As a batting unit, our thinking was about our team’s requirement. We played with five bowlers and it’s important to take 20 wickets to win a Test match. We have practiced in the nets against spinners, what shots to play and how to dominate them. I believe even against South Africa we will be preparing for that and I am sure we will dominate their spinners and the entire bowling unit”.

Unfazed by the growing debate over the most suitable batting slot for him in the Test line-up, the Mumbaikar added that he relishes batting out of his comfort zone.

“I take it as it comes. I really enjoyed batting at number three in Sri Lanka. I got a hundred there (at no. 3) and we won the (second) Test match, I am ready to do whatever the team management wants me to do. I like to bat out of my comfort zone. That’s what actually gives me that high, that happiness, as it shows that the team management and captain have belief in me, that I can bat anywhere and whatever the situation is, I am there for the team,” said the 18-Test-old batsman.

Throwing light on the adjustment needed to bat at different positions Rahane said, “It’s all about mental adjustment. When you bat at no. 3 you have to take a little more time (to settle down) than at no. 5. The ball is relatively new. You have to take your time, give half an hour to the bowlers, see how the bounce is and the (behaviour of the) wicket, and then you can play on your instinct. Whereas, batting at no. 5 you can actually take 10-15 minutes (to settle down) as you can actually know (understand) about the wicket (by) sitting inside the dressing room.”

He was very happy that the team won the series coming from 0-1 down. “I got one hundred and we won that Test match. I got out on 36 once. I wanted to contribute more but am happy that we won that Test series from 0-1 down,” Rahane said.

Praising Ravi Shastri’s role as the team’s director, Rahane said the inputs from the former India all-rounder had helped the team significantly. “Inputs from Ravi bhai actually helped us a lot. He always gives us positive feedback and tells all positive things, his experience on and off the field. The team has benefitted a lot, improved its thinking and got motivated from his talks. He has told me, Take your time in the first 10-15 minutes and after that you have the game and have all the shots to dominate the best bowling attacks at the highest level”.

Rahane also hailed Kohli’s Test captaincy, saying the Delhi batsman has been handling the team very well. “Under Virat’s captaincy, the good thing is that every member is backing him and he supports all. The entire team is progressing in one direction, which is a good sign. The team has got only one goal and all of us are working towards the same – that we have to win matches and series. Each individual has his own style of leading and Virat has been handling the team well and the team has also been backing him to the hilt.”