Ajinkya Rahane believes India is capable of winning in South Africa

With the likes of Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara, Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Virat Kohli, who’s the batting mainstay- the top-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane reveals Team India has the right opportunity to make most of it in the impending series against South Africa.

“We will do our best to win the series there. Above all, we are just looking to play good cricket. Test cricket is all about giving your best throughout 5 days,” Rahane told NDTV.

The 29-year-old right-handed batsman Rahane believes South Africa is a top-notch team subsequently stated the experience would come handy in the overseas conditions while adding the first game would be very important for the visiting side after having a terrific record at home.

“When we went there last time the team was completely new, but this time all the boys are experienced and we have been there, we know the conditions,” Rahane stressed.

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Rahane added the preparations were going into the full-swing while remarking he has the experience to set foot in South Africa.

“Preparations this time around is not completely different. When we went last time, I had 3-4 days of preparation before going to South Africa and I had such a good experience playing there,” Rahane asserted.

Rahane, who has been termed as the best in business when it comes to the duty for the national team in the overseas conditions further urges that he wants to do his best for the team across formats whether in batting or fielding.

“I want to be a match winner for my country, be it Test cricket, ODI cricket or T20s. I love taking responsibility, whether I am batting or fielding,” Rahane said.

Interestingly, both the teams have faced each other 33 times since 1991 and India are yet to register a Test series win on the South African soil.

In two Tests in South Africa, Rahane has a staggering average of 69.99 under his belt. He smashed 209 runs in four innings. He smashed two fifties with the highest score of 96 off 188 deliveries which came at the Kingsmead in Durban.

“I played 2 Test matches there and it was my first Test tour. I learnt a lot from that series but again this will be a different challenge,” Rahane explained.

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While reflecting on his childhood coach Parveen Amre, Rahane has praised the efforts of the former while stating he has been a great support for him even during the lean patch.

“We are together in good and bad times, and that is a very good thing. His support is always there with me, and his inputs are very valuable because when we went there last time, we practiced together,” Rahane concluded.

Concluding, Rahane, who is bound to have quality net sessions in South Africa, has lauded the efforts of skipper Virat Kohli for his fitness and consistent performances for the team and is hopeful the No. one ranked ICC Test team India is going to deliver in the foreign tour.

India will play the first Test of the three-match series on January, 5 in the Cape Town, as the bilateral series is also comprised off six One-day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).