India vs England | Ajinkya Rahane’s partnership with Virat Kohli displayed intent, says Sanjay Bangar

India vs England | Ajinkya Rahane’s partnership with Virat Kohli displayed intent, says Sanjay Bangar

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Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has stated that Ajinkya Rahane played with intent during his knock of 81 while batting alongside skipper Virat Kohli in the first innings against England in the 3rd Test at Trent Bridge. He added that the 159-run partnership helped India post a decent total.

After the disappointment at Birmingham (1st Test) and Lord’s (2nd Test), the Indian vice-captain found his touch during the course of a brilliant 81 at Trent Bridge (3rd Test) on Saturday. Rahane alongside skipper Kohli, who fell short of his 23rd Test ton by just 3 runs, managed to register a 159-run partnership for the third wicket helping India to post a decent total of 329 in the first innings.

While Rahane said it was his mental preparation after the Lord’s Test that helped him, Bangar also attributed it to the confidence that was reposed in him by the team management.

“Ravi Shastri coming out and saying that he is still the pillar of Indian batting might have done a whole lot of good for his confidence,” Bangar said.

On the other hand, English paceman Chris Woakes felt that Rahane made a few technical adjustments after the first two Tests and was successful in the first innings because of that.

“These guys are world-class players, even though they’re in different conditions. With the ball moving around, I thought that he (Rahane) left the ball a little bit better than he has done and made us go to him a little bit more,” Woakes said.

When Rahane himself spoke to bcci.tv after the end of the day (1st day), he said it was the intent that made a difference. Speaking of which, even Bangar felt that the senior men (Rahane and Kohli) played with a lot of intent and their partnership was exceptional.

“The partnership he (Rahane) had with Virat, they played with intent. The run-rate that they maintained throughout was exceptional and that’s why we could put up close to 310 by day end,” Bangar said.

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