Rahane: Skill wise or sledging wise, there is a plan for every Australian player

02/21/2017

Ajinkya Rahane has assured fans that the Indian team has a plan for each of the Australian players and has stressed on the need to dominate them in every aspect in the upcoming four-match Test series. Rahane also thanked the team management for keeping their faith in him for the Bangladesh Test.

"We don't know if they will sledge or not. We have some plans against each of them, I can't discuss that here, skill wise or sledging wise, there is definitely a plan. We know that Australian players play mind games. Our aim would be to dominate them in every aspect. We will look to play positive cricket, attacking cricket not only against the spinners but all the bowlers. Practice game and the Test match is completely different, so we have to read the condition well and play according to the situation, that would be the key," Rahane said in a press conference on Monday.

The 28-year-old has also refused to focus on the strategies that the visitors will employ in the series. He said that India should focus on their own strengths instead.

"They are coming to India and will be expecting a turning track. So yes three fast bowlers and five spinners are their combinations but for us, it will be important to play to our potential and not focus on their bowling attack, strategies. It is important for each team member to back our own game.

"It will be a different wicket. We have to wait and watch. Once the first day is over, we will have an idea about how it will behave the five days," he added.

I would like to thank the team management and the captain for backing me in the match against Bangladesh.

Rahane

When asked about switching from one format of the game to the other, he said, "Whatever format you play, you want to give your best for your team whether it is T20, Test or ODI. But if you are playing two or three formats it is all about how you adjust mentally. It is all about mental adjustments rather than technical adjustment."

Rahane, who made a comeback from a finger injury in the one-off Test against Bangladesh with an innings of 82 runs, has stressed on the need for a fresh start against the Australians.

"That inning was very important for me. I was really excited about that Test match, coming back after two months and importantly I got 82, good to spend time in the middle. But it is important to start afresh here. Australia, we all know, is a very good, experienced team. So it will be important to play to our potential, back ourself in the middle. As a team, we are playing really well and it is important to take one game at a time," Rahane said.

Rahane replaced Karun Nair, who scored a triple ton against England, in the side for the Test against Bangladesh. He has thanked the team for retaining their faith in him. He said, "Injuries are part and parcel of the game, you don't have control over injuries. It was really good to see Karun get 300 runs for the country and in the end, we all are representing India and I would like to thank the team management and the captain for backing me in the match against Bangladesh. I am really confident at the moment playing against Australia.

"For all of us it is important to play one game at a time and momentum will be the key. If we play well in the first game, we will have to carry that momentum forward.”

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