ENG vs IND 2018: Ajinkya Rahane Promised Me a Special Knock on my 50th Birthday - Praveen Amre

The childhood coach of Ajinkya Rahane, Praveen Amre admitted that his student promised him a special knock on my 50th birthday as the former played a special 81 runs knock to put India ahead in the day one of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge.

Meanwhile, the visitors finished the day on 307 for six with Virat Kohli missing his century by three runs. Chris Woakes was the pick of the bowlers for England scalping three wickets on the morning session.

However, when Ajinkya Rahane called Praveen Amre to wish him on 14th August, Amre had a special request. He wanted Rahane to play an innings that will remind everyone why he is one of the best in the business. India vice-captain Rahane kept his promise playing a ‘vintage Rahane’ innings on the first day of the third Test.

Amre goes on to reveal that the joy when his ward raised the bat towards the dressing room knew no bounds.

“I must tell you a small story in the lead-up to the third Test. My 50th birthday was on Tuesday and when he asked me, I said I want to see him raise his bat to the dressing room and that would be my best birthday gift. I cannot tell you how happy I was at the moment. For me, it was the flawlessness of the innings that stands out,” Praveen Amre told Hindustan Times.

It was a test of Ajinkya Rahane’s mental strength: Praveen Amre

Rahne struggled in the first two Tests against England and Amre made no bones, and this was a test of a batsmen’s psychological strength. But Amre is quick to add that his suggestion to the batsman was just to keep things simple.

“After 47 Test matches for India, he doesn’t need to be told how to bat. At this level, things are all about adapting and fighting a mental battle when the chips are down. If you can be mentally tough, you can come out of the situation a winner.

“I just kept it simple and told Ajinkya Rahane that he looked good even in the first two games before getting out cheaply. So, it was important for him to bat freely and play every ball on its merit,” Praveen Amre conlcuded.