No.4 is my favourite position, Ajinkya Rahane pulls off a repartee

The 31-year-old right-handed batsman wasn’t selected as a part of India’s World Cup campaign. Meanwhile, he had taken up an offer to play for Hampshire wherein he played eight County Championship matches between May and July. However, team India struggled to find the ideal No. 4 for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Rahane is now back in India after his county stint and is all set for his next assignment — the two-match Test series in the West Indies. Meanwhile, he was invited to Kolkata as the guest-in-chief for Cricket Association of Bengal’s annual awards function on Sunday. It was there when Rahane was asked about No. 4 issue, and while answering to it he came up with a witty remark on stage. 

“I’m the fourth person to be called upon this evening. So, No. 4 remains my favourite position,” Rahane said, as quoted by the TOI.

Currently, the Test vice-captain is preparing under Rahul Dravid at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, ahead of the West Indies tour. "I'm actually doing my fitness in Bengaluru because it’s raining heavily in Mumbai now. As I wanted to train outdoors, I thought Bengaluru is the best place. I am really happy to find him there. I always follow him, he is one of my role models,” added Rahane who is picking up some batting tips from the legendary Rahul Dravid. 

Rahane concluded saying that he was looking forward to the West Indies series and that he’s not taking his opponents lightly. “I am really excited... As we all know they (West Indies) are a dangerous team and often unpredictable too. It is important to respect them and play the game as we’ve been playing, especially in Test cricket,” he stated.

India are currently playing a three-match T20I series against the Windies, following which there will be three ODIs. Rahane will finally play in the two-match Test series which will commence on August 22.