Rahane wants to sweep away SL bowlers
KOLKATA: Ajinkya Rahane bats higher up the order for Mumbai than for India, but barring 132 in Colombo earlier this year, he hasn’t beenable tomake the best of starts.
The India vice-captain began the year with an 82 in the first innings against Bangladesh but has since scored two fifties --- a second innings 52 against Australia and 57 in the first innings against Sri Lanka at Galle --- barring that ton at the Sinhalese Sports Club in 13 Test innings.
While that may not be a matter of concern, India’s No 5 hasn’t really broken the jinx of not getting big scores. Even in Mum ba i’ s 500th Ranji Trophy game last week, he made 0 and 45.
“I am not too concerned about that. For me, I am batting well. I got four fifties in a row in the one- day series (against Australia). Yes, I got out on 49 and 45 in Ranji Trophy but it was important to play as many balls as possible and get practice for this Test series,” said Rahane before India’ s training session at Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.
Rahane played 134 deliveries for 45 against Baroda and needed 122 balls to make 49 against Odisha.
“40-50 (runs) also matter a lot for a team. In the last game for us in Mumbai, at one point it was really crucial ,” said Rah a ne, who played only two of his first 20 Tests in India, scoring centuries in Wellington, Lord’s and Melbourne and making 96 in Durban and 98 in Fatullah in that time.
Six of Rahane’s nine Test centuries have come outside India.
If his batting in the nets on Monday was any indication, Rahane seems to be fine-tuning the reverse sweep again state am that has left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.
“It is important to evolve. I always think that if I improve one shot in the net session, I will be better off in the game. If the opportunity comes and I am 100% confident of playing a particular shot, I will. So, I am just practis- ing reverse sweeps, sweeps and paddle sweeps as options. I am comfortable playing the reverse sweep now,” he said.
IMPORTANT SERIES
That India swept Sri Lank a away would have no bearing on this series, said Rahane. “If we want to be the No 1 team, every series becomes important. We want to win each and every match and each and every series….
“The first Test (beginning at Eden Gardens on Thursday) is important to get the momentum. We respect Sri Lank a but we want to think about our game rather than thinking about their combination, strengths or strategies ,” said the bats man who has played only one Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
That was against New Zealand last year and Rah a ne made 77 and one. India won the Test by 178 runs.