Winning Again In Australia Will Be A Challenge: Ajinkya Rahane
Updated - 02 Aug 2020, 06:09 PM
Ajinkya Rahane, Indian Test vice-captain, believes that Australia will be much better prepared this time around as compared to the 2018-19 series when the Men in Blue travel Down Under for yet another edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year.
India scripted history, the last time they played Australia as they became the first-ever Asian team in the history of the game to beat Australia [2-1] in their home conditions. Hailing it as the proudest moment for the whole team, the Indian vice-captain said that the home side will be a completely different kettle of fish this time around because both David Warner and Steve Smith are back in their set-up and Marnus Labuschagne is batting as good as he ever has.
“Very important series in Australia, especially with (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner back in their set up and (Marnus) Labuschagne, is doing really well. We won the series last time and it was the proudest moment in our lives. Winning again in Australia will be a challenge they will be preparing much better for us now,” Ajinkya Rahane said on the latest episode of ‘India Today Inspiration’
“It’s important we play as a team and take one game at a time. We should forget what happened in 2018 and take positives from that series but this is the Test Championship where every match and innings counts. We have to give our best in each and every Test, especially the first game is really important for the momentum,” he added.
“Looking forward”- Ajinkya Rahane on the upcoming Test series against Australia
Ajinkya Rahane said that while he is looking forward to the upcoming rubber, he stressed on the fact that the team will take it one game at a time because every Test is a part of the ICC Test championship.
“Really looking forward, I would say winning one game at a time… I would not say winning the series because as I said, the Test Championship is about winning every game. We have to think about the points this time and plan accordingly,” Ajinkya Rahane said.
One of the major reasons behind India’s win in Australia back in 2018-19 was their trio of fast bowlers, who outbowled their famed Aussie counterparts comfortably. Rahane heaped praise on the consistency that the Indian seamers have displayed around the world, adding that even backups to the main bowlers are potent.
“We do have a very good bowling attack. The Australian attack is good in their own conditions but I think we have a really good fast bowling attack and even the backups are very good. Even on the England and South Africa tours, they did really well. We got 60 wickets in the 3 Tests in South Africa. I’m sure are equally ready to do well in Australia this time and I’m confident about them,” Ajinkya Rahane said.
India’s Test tour of Australia will kickstart at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 03. Post that, the teams’ will travel to the Adelaide Oval for the Pink ball Test, which will be followed by the traditional Boxing day and New Year Test at the MCG and SCG respectively.
