Mumbai : On Friday India’s Vice Captain Ajinkya Rahane accepted that Indian batsman on the second day of the second Test against England at Lord’s hesitated against a quality attack among the tough conditions.
The visiting batsmen committed mistakes under challenging conditions as his side were bowled out for just 107 runs as the rains affected the innings. Rahane pointed out the batsmen that they must have defended higher regardless of difficult stipulations.
“You have to accept your mistake. Acceptance is the key, I think, when you play in England. It’s not about getting caught behind, even run out, but you have got to accept your mistake and move on. The quicker we learn from our mistakes, the better for us. I am sure everyone will learn from this innings and there is a long way to go in this match as well as the series,” stated Rahane at the press conference after the match.
He further added, “May be we will need to learn from their batting unit how to bat in such conditions, which shots are important, which shots you can play, etc. Many times in England you cannot only stay defensive. You need to understand which shots you can play — may be the cut shot or the late cut. So the earlier you learn all that the better it would be for you.”
He even said that the conditions were hard and he don’t think that they get any more conditions than this especially playing with Duke ball in these weather. But ass a batsmen we have to back our ability. It is all about intent out there, of not only scoring runs but also leaving the ball and defending well. As a batsman it is always a challenge to come here and play against this kind of attack.
The 30-year old batsman even praised England in the first innings. While he stated, “These were definitely challenging conditions. Anderson did not bowl a short ball. He was just bowling at same spot — four or five metre length — and that is really crucial on this wicket. If you are bowling that length, you got to bowl consistently, then as a batsman you have to leave the ball or back your methods consistently. It is all about patience on these conditions and trusting your methods and backing your ability.”
“They used the conditions really well. I thought the wicket, because of the weather we cannot control. First half, when the game was on and off, it was difficult for batting team to switch on and off. But when you play at the highest level, no excuses. I would like to give credit to English bowling team — Anderson, Stuart Broad and others — they bowled really well as a unit,” he added.
The right-handed batsmen also said that the continuous interference of rainfall and the run-out of Cheteshwar Pujara put India in a tough place. He added, It definitely hurts as a teammates, and I am sure even Pujara will be upset about his run out. The run out definitely hurt us and the weather after that too. I think we did not get to play for 3-4 hours, so definitely as a team you feel really bad.”
Despite less runs, Rahane said,” You cannot be too harsh on yourself as an individual and team when you get conditions like this. You have to back yourself as a player and team. I felt we were right there skill wise. There is still a long way to go in this match. We have to bowl well, and our bowling unit is doing well. If weather permits, I am sure our bowlers will bowl in the right areas well. Cricket is a funny game, we still have to back ourselves and get positive mind set back.”
“It is important that you back yourself in English conditions and trust your methods. I think still you need luck in these conditions. But there are no complaints at all, we have to bowl and field well,” he added.
India trails 1-0 in the 5-match Test series after losing the First test match by 31 runs at Edgbaston.
