Good IPL performance may help me secure World Cup spot, says Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane is hopeful of getting a seat on the flight to the UK on the back of a good performance in the upcoming IPL. He assured that his full focus is on the IPL and if he performs well, he will automatically become a prospect for the mega tournament scheduled right after the league.
The number four spot in the limited-overs setup of the Indian team is still up for grabs and the Indian Test team vice-captain is keen to take it up. Various players such as Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, and lastly Rishabh Pant have been tested by the team management for a spot in the middle-order but none of them has been able to justify their role.
The Rajasthan Royals captain, who last played an ODI in February 2018 against South Africa, is of the opinion that he can make the number four spot his own if he puts up a good show in the cash-rich franchise-based event.
"The approach won't be any different with the World Cup spot looming because at the end you are playing cricket, be it the IPL or any other tournament. You have to score runs and do well for the team. The most important thing will be to think about the Rajasthan Royals rather than thinking too much about the road ahead. See, if I do well in the IPL, the World Cup (selection) will automatically come,” Rahane told IANS.
"I feel it is important to express yourself and not take any undue pressure thinking about things (World Cup Selection) which aren't in your control. The focus is the IPL.”
Jinx, as he is fondly called by his teammates, also spoke about his team’s commanding triumph in the test series against the Australians Down Under where India won the four-match series 2-1.
"I think this was really special as we all know how difficult it is to win in Australia. This is one of the big achievements for us because going and winning a Test series on foreign soil isn't easy. Starting well is very important and that is what we did in Australia. We had the momentum from the word go and we kept dominating," the Rajasthan Royals skipper concluded.
The IPL is scheduled to start from March 23 and the Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign against Kings XI Punjab on March 25. The World Cup, in England and Wales, is scheduled right after the tournament from May 30.
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