Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane (Credits: Twitter)

After finishing on top in the ICC World Test Championship in 2019, Team India will look to begin fresh in 2020 when they tour New Zealand to play two-match Test series in February. Virat Kohli & Co will be keen to keep the winning run going and strengthen their lead at the top of the points table. Meanwhile, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has revealed the mantra to succeed in those alien conditions.

India doesn’t enjoy a good record in New Zealand failing to counter the extra seam and bounce. However, things will be different this time around. The Indian batters have scored runs all across the globe with the bowlers providing quality assistance. In the process, they registered their maiden series win over Australia in 2019 under Kohli’s leadership.

Ajinkya Rahane Reveals Mantra To Succeed In New Zealand
Ajinkya Rahane. Credit: BCCI

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Wagner is the bowler to look out for – Ajinkya Rahane

With only a month to go for the series, senior batsman Ajinkya Rahane has revealed the mantra to score runs in those conditions. He feels that this side has a good chance of beating the Kiwis for the first time since 2009 when they achieved the landmark under MS Dhoni.

“We played there in 2014…there is a breeze factor that is involved. I guess getting used to conditions will be the key as there will be more sideways movement because of breeze,” Rahane said when asked about the challenges. In the last tour, I played in Wellington but Christchurch, we will be playing a Test match after long time. Getting used to conditions will be key,” he added.

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Ajinkya Rahane Reveals Mantra To Succeed In New Zealand
Neil Wagner. Credit: Getty Images

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Furthermore, Ajinkya Rahane, who has been doing his homework for the tour, singled out left-arm fast bowler Neil Wagner as the bowler to watch out for after his recent exploits against Australia and prior to that, England. Wagner has been the only positive for New Zealand in the ongoing series against the Aussies where they have lost the series 0-2 with one more game to go.

“Wagner did well in the recent series (27 wickets from last 4 Tests). You can’t take just one name. As a batting unit, you’ve got to respect every bowler. As a home team, they have an advantage knowing conditions well, but at the same time, we need to play our natural game also,” Rahane concluded.

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