Ajinkya Rahane : We are preparing for slow tracks in the series

Indian Spinners had a good time in the warm-up matches with the trio of R Ashwin, Amit Mishra, and Ravindra Jadeja picking up 16 wickets in total. If the practice matches are anything to go by, then India would go into the first Test at Antigua with all three spinners expecting a slow turning track. On Monday, middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane reinforced the point about the slow tracks and said that the team is preparing to play on similar tracks as they got in the warm-up matches.

“Preparation has been very good so far. (We) played two practice games here and I think all the boys did really well, especially bowlers because wickets were slightly on the slower side. It was very challenging for the bowlers but I felt they bowled really well. It was pretty challenging but we enjoyed each and every practice session and we are looking forward to the Test series,” said Indian vice-captain Rahane in a media conference.

I think we will get similar tracks but here we will have to wait until the 21st. But in St. Kitts it was really slow track, bit similar to Indian wickets and we are preparing for slow tracks in the series."

“I think we will get similar tracks but here we will have to wait until the 21st. But in St. Kitts it was really slow track, bit similar to Indian wickets and we are preparing for slow tracks in the series. So the two practice matches were really crucial for us and this first game will give us momentum,” he added.

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The Mumbai cricketer also said that although the tracks will be spin friendly, spinners need to bowl well in partnerships to get wickets in West Indies.

“Yes, spinners also bowled really well, all the bowlers bowled well. Key was to bowl patiently and keep that consistent line all the time throughout 90 overs. I felt after the new ball, Mishra bowled really well and (in the) second game Ashwin and Jadeja bowled really well in partnerships. I think bowling well in partnership will be really crucial in the West Indies,” said the middle-order batsman.

After the appointment of Anil Kumble as coach, every Indian cricketer has faced questions about the influence of the legendary leg-spinner and Rahane also faced the same on Monday. Answering the same, he said, “He has been handling it really well, and we are really happy to have him as the coach with us, because his experience will take us forward as Indian team. He has been fantastic throughout these three weeks, and 6-7 days in camp. His inputs are helping us and in future his experience, his words and the kind of cricket he played, he will share with us.”

It is important to give respect to each and every opponent and I think West Indies have a decent attack in Holder, Gabriel, Brathwaite, Bishoo."

Although West Indies are the current World T20 champions, they are languishing at eight in rankings in the longer format of the game. But, Rahane believes that it is important to take every opponent seriously.

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“It is important to give respect to each and every opponent and I think West Indies have a decent attack in Holder, Gabriel, Brathwaite, Bishoo. It is important to give respect to them and play according to the merit as a team. You cannot take anyone lightly and as long as we play to our strengths and potential, it will help us in this Test series,” said the Indian vice-captain before signing off.