Unfortunate we lost Pandya off the last ball, says Rahane

NOTTINGHAM: India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said they might have lost two wickets too many but was happy with the score that the visitors ended with at stumps. Riding Virat Kohli’s 97 and an aggressive 81 from Rahane, India reached 307/6 with the fall of Hardik Pandya’s wicket on what was to be the day’s last ball.

“I think it’s a good score on this wicket. Unfortunately, we lost Hardik at the end. Me and Virat, we were planning to put pressure on the bowlers. In the end, it was a good score I think,” said Rahane after close of day’s play.

Asked if India could have done better, Rahane said more important was their intent on what has been a seaming pitch so far.

“Definitely, 320/4 would have been better but our intent was important on this wicket. The openers did really well. We were thinking that if we get a good start and if the top order does well, the middle order can capitalise. That’s what we were doing,” said Rahane.

The medium pace of Ben Stokes was disconcerting for India in the first Test at Edgbaston but both Kohli and Rahane looked in more control while playing him. “Me and Virat were focusing on rotating the strike and put the bad balls to the boundary. I think it’s because of his action and the angle that he creates. But as I spent more time in the middle, I became comfortable. We all know Stokes, he plays with me in the IPL, so that helps I guess (laughs),” said Rahane, referring to Stokes’s stint at Rajasthan Royals this year.

For the first time on this tour, India have looked composed in their batting. “It’s about taking one ball at a time and giving your best. We were looking to bat first, our intent was positive. The wicket was really good to start with, perhaps a touch slow as the day went on,” he said.

Rahane expressed confidence in the bowling line-up that has again got a makeover. “We do have a good balance, we know what Jasprit can do while Ishant and Shami have been bowling really well. Ashwin and Hardik also have been doing well. It’s important to bat well in the morning session and then bowl in the right areas.”