SA v India 2nd ODI: Better equipped to bat at No. 4 says Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane's batting position in the ODI side has been a topic of debate but the Mumbai batsman made it clear that his preferred slot will be No. 4 after a well-made 79 in India's six-wicket win against South Africa in the first ODI. Prior to this series, Rahane was being dubbed as the reserve opener as team management experimented with a number of batsmen at that position but things have changed after his half-century in the opening game coming at No. 4.

Asked if he is more comfortable at No. 4, Rahane said, "I am better equipped for batting at No.4, I am more matured now. I know how to build my innings at No. 4," Rahane said ahead of today's second ODI. "Batting at No. 4 is different. The confidence came from last Test win at Johannesburg, where I scored 48 runs. But I was actually determined to do well at that slot because I have batted at that position during the 2015 World Cup (in Australia and New Zealand)," Rahane added. Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa on Saturday named batsman Aiden Markram, 23, as skipper for the remainder of the five-match ODI series against India.

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