In search of runs, Rahane hits the nets under Amre to iron out creases
MUMBAI: As Team India members enjoy a nine-day break with their family and friends before the fourth Test against England at the Wankhede Stadium, Ajinkya Rahane quietly checked-in at the MCA’s Bandra Kurla Complex ground on Sunday for a net session with his guru Pravin Amre.
Rahane has scored just 63 runs in three Tests at an average of 12.60 in the England series so far and ahead of his first Test at home in three years, the India vice-captain would be looking to make it extra special. He was part of the India squad during Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test in 2013.
On Sunday, Rahane’s sole intention was to iron out his flaws in batting while facing spinners.
He has been dismissed thrice to English spin trio of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Zafar Ansari in five innings. He will further improvise his off side game on Monday after instructing the ground staff to provide him with nets with the off side open.
IN PAST TESTS
In the first Test at Rajkot, Rahane’s furniture was disturbed twice with the ball turning sharply into him. In the second Test at Visakhapatnam, the Mumbai batsman was guilty of nudging deliveries outside the off-stump from English pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
In Mohali, Rashid trapped Rahane plumb. Skipper Virat Kohli took a chance to review the decision, but it couldn’t change the fate. Perhaps, Kohli realises that Rahane’s success will help his team thoroughly dominate the England team.
On Sunday afternoon, Rahane faced a variety of spin bowlers in the net with coach Amre watching his ward from the point region. He initially concentrated on his defense before opening up with his square cuts, late cuts and cover drives.
Amre kept a close vigil on the follow-through of his bat and the point of contact with the ball. “Asa aan, asa aan” (bring it like this) Amre was heard telling Rahane multiple times in Marathi, exhorting his ward to concentrate on the angle of his bat.
Towards the end of his net session, Rahane stepped out to the spinners and dislodged them in the long on and long off region.
As Rahane emerged from the practice session after nearly two hours, the body language and confidence looked a lot better. Amre too gave him resounding feedback and urged him to maintain a similar approach in the fourth Test.
To inspire Rahane further, Amre narrated his 57-run knock against England at the Wankhede Stadium in 1993 where he managed to find gaps despite a strong off-side field set by the England captain Graham Gooch.
The indication was clear from Amre that sometimes it is just the mindset which restricts free flow of the willow.