India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane insists batsmen must apply themselves to succeed in English conditions
India’s Ajinkya Rahane. Pic/AFP
If India have to win a Test series in England after 14 years, their batting must click. India have won only two out of 13 Tests across their last three tours to England (they lost 0-4, 1-3 and 1-4 in 2011, 2014 and 2018 respectively).
The Indian batsmen averaged just 23.95 during the 2014 trip and 23.91 in 2018. Then, at the recent World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton, India’s batting was a let down again following which skipper Virat Kohli brought up the intent factor that he felt was lacking in some batsmen.
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As Team India embark on a fresh two-year WTC cycle with the five-Test series against England, starting from August 4 at Nottingham, the team’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane felt individuals must back their own methods to succeed in English conditions.
“We sat and discussed our batting plans. The conditions in England are challenging for batsmen. Every batsman has different plans and methods. And we back every individual to back their own methods rather than focusing on technique or anything else. So, playing as a group, communication will be key but individually, everyone should back their own methods in England because conditions change here very quickly. All it takes is 15-20 minutes. At one point, the sun is out and suddenly it’s overcast. So, it’s all about getting used to the conditions quickly and reading those conditions well by backing your own methods,” Rahane said during a virtual press conference on Monday.
A good start is key, said the Mumbai batsman.
“The conditions are completely different here. We played them at home where the conditions were familiar to us. So, being present in the current moment, matters a lot. So, starting well at Nottingham is very important,” said Rahane.
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