With the much-awaited ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 just around the corner, Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has credited the Indian captain Rohit Sharma and head-coach Rahul Dravid for the way the team has performed under the guidance across formats and also for keeping the team’s culture healthy.
Notably, the Indian cricket team won 10, lost 5, and drew three games in the 2-year cycle of the WTC ever since they lost the 2021 WTC final to New Zealand.
Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 49 and 15 in the WTC Final, was dropped in January 2022 because of his inconsistent performances and poor form. However, the right-handed batter has impressed one and all with his performances in the domestic tournaments. He also played an instrumental role in the recently-concluded 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League, where he played many crucial knocks for the Chennai Super Kings.
Ajinkya Rahane Hailed Rohit Sharma And Rahul Dravid
Meanwhile, ahead of his much-awaited return to the Test format, Rahane has hailed Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid for handling the team well. In a video shared by the BCCI via their official Twitter handle, Rahane said:
“We’ve played very good cricket,”
He added: “Obviously, the last time we lost against New Zealand but after that the team played very positive cricket. Obviously, Rohit was leading the side really well, everyone chipped in and contributed really well. We are here playing the second consecutive final because of our consistency in all formats, not only in Test cricket. In ODIs and T20Is we’ve been really consistent as a team.”
“Everyone has played well and scored really fast. I thought the culture in the team culture is really good. Rohit is handling the team really well and I am sure Rahul bhai is also handling the team really well. Everyone’s enjoying each other’s company and that obviously helps,”
Ajinkya Rahane, who was once known as India’s overseas specialist, also talked about how he has always enjoyed playing in challenging bowling-friendly conditions. But he also added that he is looking forward to starting fresh with the upcoming WTC Final 2023. He said:
“I always like challenging conditions,”
He added: “Sometimes when you come abroad, the situation is favorable to bowlers. For me I think the preparation matters a lot for me. But see I am coming back after 18-19 months, I don’t want to think about my past now. Whatever has happened, good or bad, it’s gone. I just want to start fresh, keep doing whatever I have done through out the season and try help the team and give my best whenever I get the opportunity.”
Rahane on how to play in English conditions
Further, he spoke about how to play in English conditions. He said: “Playing in England, you have to see the conditions well. Generally, you look at the wicket but in England, you have to look upstairs. If it’s cloudy it’s favorable to bowlers,”
He added: “Playing in England, you have to see the conditions well. Generally, you look at the wicket but in England, you have to look upstairs. If it’s cloudy it’s favorable to bowlers,”
