I analysed my batting after Lord’s Test: Rahane

Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane says he analysed his batting a lot after twin failures in the first two Tests against England, the effort resulting in a characteristically gritty 81 at Trent Bridge.

“After the last Test match I sat down in the dressing room and analysed all my good innings, how I played them, what was my mindset, how I approached those innings,” Rahane told ‘bcci.tv’.

Rahane entered the match after failing to succeed in Birmingham and Lord’s. “Success and failures are there as a professional cricketer but the intent has to be there. And if the mindset and attitude is right results will automatically follow.

“Definitely, I was not getting too bogged down after the first Two Tests. The belief was that if the ball was there hit I will hit. Thinking too much about the end result put pressure. The aim to play one ball at a time and play it on merit.”

The highlight of the day was his 159-run partnership with skipper Kohli. “Our aim was to build partnership when Virat and I were batting, and as we settled down the focus was to make runs. That partnership was really crucial for us.

“The Intent was to rotate strike from the beginning. I have always felt that when you go into a shell you can’t play your game. We capitalised on the bad balls.”

Rahane also expressed satisfaction over India’s batting performance on the first day.