Rahane thanks Tendulkar, Dravid after maiden ton

[CG]

Ajinkya Rahane thanked his "role model" Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar after scoring a maiden Test hundred in Wellington. Rahane, playing his fifth Test, came in at No 7 when India were still trailing New Zealand and fell after the lead had swelled to 231. His century helped India finish with a first-innings lead of 246. "I have been following him (Dravid) from my childhood," Rahane said. "He is my role model and I have played with him in the Indian team and also with Rajasthan Royals. I learned a lot, on and off the field and just want to thank Rahul bhai. "Also Sachin paaji, because during his last two Test matches he told me about my batting. He said, 'I have been following you, your hard work, fitness, how you have conducted yourself. Be the same and your chance will surely come.' So thanks to both of them." Rahane had fallen short of a century by four runs in his third Test in Durban. At the time, the Indian tail was collapsing and, in trying to get to the landmark in a hurry, with last man Mohammed Shami for company, Rahane swung at Vernon Philander only to be bowled. This time, his companion was Zaheer Khan, who cannot exactly be relied upon to hang around. Rahane said he knew there was a lot of difference between getting 96 and getting 100, but added he was not thinking about what had happened in Durban. "In South Africa, when I got 96, I wanted to get that hundred, because the first hundred is really special," he said. "Those four runs were really crucial at that time (in Durban). I know how crucial four runs are now, because a hundred is a hundred. When you get out on 96, it comes in fifties. "This time I wasn't thinking about my hundred, I just wanted to play one ball at a time. I just wanted to be there as long as possible and play my shots and keep as much strike as possible. "We were eight down and Zaheer Khan was batting so I told him I will try to play four-five balls and take a single on the last ball. That really helped me because I was in the present and was not thinking about what is going to happen. I just told him to play the way he liked. I told him I am not thinking about my hundred (and that) that I will try and back my ability and try and back my shots, whatever happens will happen." Rahane eventually made it to a century with a pulled four off Corey Anderson and the batsman said it was hard to describe what he felt at that time. "I don't know how to explain (my feelings after reaching the hundred). A Test hundred is always special. A first hundred, I will remember it for a long time... it's a special hundred for me. Tomorrow is a crucial day for us and hopefully the bowlers will do their remaining job." Rahane said he wanted to take his time at the crease after walking in to bat with the score at 165 for 5. MS Dhoni's counterattack, after Kohli fell, also helped him. "I just wanted to play my game, whatever I have been playing in domestic cricket, and continue that. He (Dhoni) gave me a lot of confidence," Rahane said. "I had batted with him in South Africa. He just told me to back myself, play my shots. He said: 'Play one ball at a time, that's it, don't think too much.' That really helped me a lot and gave me good confidence." Abhishek Purohit is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo RSS Feeds: Abhishek Purohit © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-india-2014/content/story/719281.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

[G_B_]

he is lucky to have learned from the best, Tendulkar at ranji and Dravid at Royals.... However Rahane's coming of age credit must be given to the Royals. They may not have given him the technique and skills which he got in mumbai, but they have given him temperament. Make dravid batting coach of India. Pay him $1 million. it will be worth it.

[Old guy]

he is lucky to have learned from the best, Tendulkar at ranji and Dravid at Royals.... However Rahane's coming of age credit must be given to the Royals. They may not have given him the technique and skills which he got in mumbai, but they have given him temperament. Make dravid batting coach of India. Pay him $1 million. it will be worth it.

Dravid is smart enough to avoid it

[Sidhoni]

he is lucky to have learned from the best, Tendulkar at ranji and Dravid at Royals.... However Rahane's coming of age credit must be given to the Royals. They may not have given him the technique and skills which he got in mumbai, but they have given him temperament. Make dravid batting coach of India. Pay him $1 million. it will be worth it.

We need a bowling coach more than a batting coach. And we don' really need a stellar overseas legend. Anyway that is a topic for another day. Dravid for batting coach will be terrific though. But I get the feeling we would still go for foreign coach if we need one lol :giggle:

[vvvslaxman]

Rahane's demeanour after century impressed one and all.

[G_B_]

what with zaheer khan during the century though batted like an idiot.

[kaptaan]

[Old guy]

Wow:cantstop:

[Karan114]

what with zaheer khan during the century though batted like an idiot.

Pretty typical stuff from Zaheer really. Has no sense of responsibility even as a 35-year old veteran of 90 Tests. Flings his bat around like a 20-year old making his debut at no.11. With his ordinary bowling, no reason to keep him in the side.

[G_B_]

i am starting to agree on the zaheer front. was disgusted the way he was going about things. you could see Rahane was in a fix as he did not want to tell a senior and somebody who he has known for years playing for mumbai, what to do. Luckily it worked out but Rahane was forced to take risks which he otherwise would not have was lucky with one edge.

[Sidhoni]

What's close enough? The empty stands behind? :cantstop:

[Sidhoni]

Zaheer Khan is mortally scared of the cricket ball. It's at once shameful and hilarious how he runs to the leg side when the bowler is running in. Along with Irfan Pathan, Zaheer has been the most mentally weak and cowardly cricketer to come out of India. Easily.

:cantstop:

[NareshK]

Really impressed with his batting, fielding and also his conduct on the field. Proper test player.

[gaurav92]

:hatsoff:

[CG]

Zaheer Khan is mortally scared of the cricket ball. It's at once shameful and hilarious how he runs to the leg side when the bowler is running in. Along with Irfan Pathan, Zaheer has been the most mentally weak and cowardly cricketer to come out of India. Easily.

Due to their religion i guess.You idiot.zaheer khan has always batted that way trying to be beside the ball and hit out.Irfan pathan did not have skills but he always fought out even if he was sent at perth to open .They are far from cowards.Cowards are guys who fake injury to avoid playing when out of form or do not bowl when they are captain trying to save their figures.

[saneindian]

Zaheer Khan is mortally scared of the cricket ball. It's at once shameful and hilarious how he runs to the leg side when the bowler is running in. Along with Irfan Pathan, Zaheer has been the most mentally weak and cowardly cricketer to come out of India. Easily.

Keyboard warrior

[Old guy]

Keyboard warrior

can we report these type of posts for reason of stupidity ?:hmmm:

[ThePhenomenal1]

Classy knock, just knew he would play a special innings when he came out. Now bowlers have to step up once more, and finish it. Let this be the start of the new team's winning ways! Oh and drop zak, bring in yadav

[saneindian]

Classy knock, just knew he would play a special innings when he came out. Now bowlers have to step up once more, and finish it. Let this be the start of the new team's winning ways! Oh and drop zak, bring in yadav

Wait for 5 more months to know :--D

[express bowling]

Rahane played a wonderful, wonderful knock. He has impressed one and all with his test performances. Plays the short ball well. Both defensively as well as offensively whether pulling or cutting. Is good against the moving ball too. Solid defense. Good drives. Has the gift of timing. Decent strokeplayer. He has now succeeded both in SAF and NZ. Has shown the ability to play under pressure, especially in SAF. Lots of potential.