Being dropped from ODIs gives me more time to prepare for England Tests: Rahane

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/being-dropped-from-odis-gives-me-more-time-to-prepare-for-england-tests-rahane/articleshow/64357698.cms

 

MUMBAI: Ajinkya Rahane is an eternal optimist, who is ready to find a silver lining in everything, including his rejection from India's limited overs team.

ALSO READ - Good that Virat isn't playing county cricket: Harbhajan

He believes that being overlooked for the limited overs leg of the UK tour will give him more time to do his homework for the big-ticket five-match Test series against England, starting August 1.

ALSO READ - Kohli not a machine, even rocket fuel wouldn't have helped him: Shastri

"It is important that you get time to prepare yourself and clarity is important, when you know that you are not in ODI squad and you just going to play Test matches in England. I will get good amount of time for the Afghanistan Test and after that for the England tour," Rahane told reporters on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Awards.

Even if there is an element of frustration, Rahane doesn't want to show that.

"No, I am not at all frustrated; actually the thing is I can tell you this is actually motivating me, because I am actually looking to make a comeback. Right now, my focus is on Test cricket. I still believe that I can come back and do well in shorter formats with World Cup (2019) coming up."

While there are enough indications that he has fallen off the radar as far as India's limited overs scheme of things are concerned, Rahane is still hopeful that he can turn the table.

"I still believe in myself. I did well in ODI cricket whenever I got my opportunities. In West Indies, I got man-of-the-series award (with four half-centuries). Against Australia, I did really well. In South Africa, the team management asked me to bat at No 4 and I did well, so it is just a matter of time. I am still confident that I will make a comeback and do well for my country in shorter format," the right-hander put up a brave front.

Pakistan may have walloped England inside three and half days in their first Test at the Lord's but that doesn't mean India will have it easy when they embark on their gruelling five-Test tour of the Old Blighty, feels Rahane.

Asked about England's comprehensive defeat at the hands of Pakistan and its implications, a cautious Rahane said: "It is very hard to judge (England) right now. Playing in England at their own backyard is always a challenge. Yes, Pakistan played very well. They bowled and batted well but there is still sometime to go for our series. We can't ake England for granted as they can comeback anytime."

Before the England Test series, Rahane will be leading India against Test debutants Afghanistan in the historic one-off Test in Bengaluru, starting June 14.

"Right now, our focus should be on Afghanistan Test match and then think about England. We can by no means take Afghanistan lightly. The world accepts and respects Rashid Khan as a quality bowler. Whether in life or cricket, nothing can be taken for granted," the stylish Mumbaikar said. "Qualifying for a Test is the biggest thing for Afghanistan cricket and that is good for cricket. We need to go out there and play with the good intensity like we play with every other team," Rahane said.

 

 

 

As the discussion again turned to the marquee England series, Rahane reiterated that the start is important.

 

 

 

"England's strength is their quality of all-rounders (Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Moeen Ali). We have to take one game at a time. We have the team to do well abroad, especially in England and Australia.

 

 

 

"I always believe that the first match of the series is always important. If you get that momentum early in the series, then you can actually dominate your opponent," the 30-year-old Indian vice-captain signed off.

[raki05]

10 minutes ago, gambhirfan said:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/being-dropped-from-odis-gives-me-more-time-to-prepare-for-england-tests-rahane/articleshow/64357698.cms

 

MUMBAI: Ajinkya Rahane is an eternal optimist, who is ready to find a silver lining in everything, including his rejection from India's limited overs team.

ALSO READ - Good that Virat isn't playing county cricket: Harbhajan

He believes that being overlooked for the limited overs leg of the UK tour will give him more time to do his homework for the big-ticket five-match Test series against England, starting August 1.

ALSO READ - Kohli not a machine, even rocket fuel wouldn't have helped him: Shastri

"It is important that you get time to prepare yourself and clarity is important, when you know that you are not in ODI squad and you just going to play Test matches in England. I will get good amount of time for the Afghanistan Test and after that for the England tour," Rahane told reporters on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Awards.

Even if there is an element of frustration, Rahane doesn't want to show that.

"No, I am not at all frustrated; actually the thing is I can tell you this is actually motivating me, because I am actually looking to make a comeback. Right now, my focus is on Test cricket. I still believe that I can come back and do well in shorter formats with World Cup (2019) coming up."

While there are enough indications that he has fallen off the radar as far as India's limited overs scheme of things are concerned, Rahane is still hopeful that he can turn the table.

"I still believe in myself. I did well in ODI cricket whenever I got my opportunities. In West Indies, I got man-of-the-series award (with four half-centuries). Against Australia, I did really well. In South Africa, the team management asked me to bat at No 4 and I did well, so it is just a matter of time. I am still confident that I will make a comeback and do well for my country in shorter format," the right-hander put up a brave front.

Pakistan may have walloped England inside three and half days in their first Test at the Lord's but that doesn't mean India will have it easy when they embark on their gruelling five-Test tour of the Old Blighty, feels Rahane.

Asked about England's comprehensive defeat at the hands of Pakistan and its implications, a cautious Rahane said: "It is very hard to judge (England) right now. Playing in England at their own backyard is always a challenge. Yes, Pakistan played very well. They bowled and batted well but there is still sometime to go for our series. We can't ake England for granted as they can comeback anytime."

Before the England Test series, Rahane will be leading India against Test debutants Afghanistan in the historic one-off Test in Bengaluru, starting June 14.

"Right now, our focus should be on Afghanistan Test match and then think about England. We can by no means take Afghanistan lightly. The world accepts and respects Rashid Khan as a quality bowler. Whether in life or cricket, nothing can be taken for granted," the stylish Mumbaikar said. "Qualifying for a Test is the biggest thing for Afghanistan cricket and that is good for cricket. We need to go out there and play with the good intensity like we play with every other team," Rahane said.

 

 

 

As the discussion again turned to the marquee England series, Rahane reiterated that the start is important.

 

 

 

"England's strength is their quality of all-rounders (Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Moeen Ali). We have to take one game at a time. We have the team to do well abroad, especially in England and Australia.

 

 

 

"I always believe that the first match of the series is always important. If you get that momentum early in the series, then you can actually dominate your opponent," the 30-year-old Indian vice-captain signed off.

[wanted_desi]

Quote

Kohli not a machine, even rocket fuel wouldn't have helped him: Shastri

What the F is wrong with Bewda? Lol, This guy doesnt even deserve to be coach of primary school cricket team. 

[MSD11]

This is exactly the type of attitude we need in the team. Shabash

[LordPrabhzy]

Yes good but Rahane.. how will you exactly prepare?

 

Have you got a county offer?- NO

 

Have you got a contract with a local club; Lanacashire Leagues?- NO

 

Are you playing the LOI leg before?- NO

 

Are you in the India A squad to play 4 day matches in England? NO

 

Is he planning to do his preparation in the nets for 2 months and in the spare time go shopping with his wife?

[Moochad]

Correct mindset

[Ankit_sharma03]

3 hours ago, LordPrabhzy said:

Yes good but Rahane.. how will you exactly prepare?

 

Have you got a county offer?- NO

 

Have you got a contract with a local club; Lanacashire Leagues?- NO

 

Are you playing the LOI leg before?- NO

 

Are you in the India A squad to play 4 day matches in England? NO

 

Is he planning to do his preparation in the nets for 2 months and in the spare time go shopping with his wife?

sometimes net is a good place, u can rectify a lot of ur errors in free times

Thats why u see a lot of ex- cricketers say cricketers today dnt get times to go back into nets n rectify their problems

[putrevus]

I have not found one honest admission from any Indian cricketer that they have stunk. They seem to live in LALA land where everyone except themselves know they are not just good enough.

 

 

[LORD_analyst]

23 minutes ago, Ankit_sharma03 said:

 sometimes net is a good place, u can rectify a lot of ur errors in free times

Thats why u see a lot of ex- cricketers say cricketers today dnt get times to go back into nets n rectify their problems

lmao....india did 7 days of nets before saf tests ....and we know how out of nick batsmen were......the best practise is 'match' practise. 

nets are important when you get match practise and still aren't able to perform ....due to any technical error tha crept in ur game.

[putrevus]

This guy is reason why RR did not go far this year and this guy is why India does not have another world T20 but he still think he is very good in shorter forms.Why are they even keeping this guy in loop for shorter forms is beyond me. They are ten other better batsmen who can do far better than he ever will and he is citing MOS against WI.

 

Even in tests I have not seen him do well consistently over a series, so even in form he cannot be relied upon to carry the team. When playing with just five batsmen and having players like him who rarely impose themselves on series is such a risky proposition.

[Ankit_sharma03]

2 hours ago, LORD_analyst said:

lmao....india did 7 days of nets before saf tests ....and we know how out of nick batsmen were......the best practise is 'match' practise. 

nets are important when you get match practise and still aren't able to perform ....due to any technical error tha crept in ur game.

not 7 day but 1 day 

net practice has it huge importance, the greatest of the players have rectified their errors in nets only 

Yes match practice is important but which he ll get in warmup games. Sometimes its imp to have off time to which he ll have now and then he can start with nets and he ll get warm up games in england

[Gollum]

[Laaloo]

Seems like he prepared for Adil Rashid and moeen Ali. Bechara

Edited August 13, 2018 by Laaloo

[someone]

isnt hindsight wonderful??? Still 3 more tests so lets wait...

[nevada]

Rahane's failures are very disappointing. I expected him to score at-least a fifty and show some fight in one of the 4 innings. 

[flamy]

Hahane

[Malcolm Merlyn]

Isse accha bina preparation ke khelta.

[shortbread]

Tbh.....apart from Kohli he's the only other batsman that looks like he wants to be on the crease. 

[R!TTER]

When you're not assured of a spot, even in tests, this is bound to happen. Let's see how Kohli performs with the fear of being axed anytime, anywhere, anyhow! This is the kind of atmosphere he's bred in the dressing room, always looking to cream his LO buddies Dhawan and Sharma in the test team any time he gets a chance.

[speedheat]

Time has come to drop this clown from test matches too.