Ajinkya Rahane is all set to lead India against Test debutants Afghanistan in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli at Bangalore from June 14.
While Kohli is currently going through the rehabilitation period after suffering a neck sprain which also ruled him out from his maiden county stint for Surrey, Rahane is gearing up to take the numero uno Test side to a different height.
In his recent interview with India Today, Rahane made it clear that India’s intensity level against Afghanistan will be the same as it is against any opponent.
“Every Test is equally important. You can't take anything for granted in sport. It's good for cricket that Afghanistan have got Test status,” Rahane quoted.
“When we are on the field, our intensity level will be the same as it is against any opponent. It will be important to focus on our strengths. They have a lot of quality players who have done well in shorter formats and are new to Tests but we won't take them lightly. When we step on the field we will try to play the brand of cricket we have been playing all along,” he added.
Just a week ago, Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan had issued a warning for the Indian batsmen, saying that he will use 'five different types of deliveries' in the match. Rashid finished the IPL 2018 as the second highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps from 17 matches while the 17-year-old off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed 14 wickets in 11 matches for the Kings XI Punjab.
When asked how the Indian batsmen will approach the mystery Afghan spinners, Rahane said: “It's true that they have so far delivered only with the white ball. They are new to red ball cricket. But they have quality spinners and fast bowlers and we can't take them lightly. Each team tries to back their own strengths.”
Following the Afghanistan Test, Team India will head off for the England tour where they will play three T20Is and as many ODIs before featuring in a five-match Test series from August 1.
Talking about the challenging England tour, Ajinkya stated: “I am very positive about the upcoming cricket. I am in a positive space. It's always important to focus and stay in the present. I will take the confidence from South Africa (Johannesburg Test) forward. I also led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and that gave me confidence. The next challenge is against Afghanistan followed by England. I am confident of myself and the team and I am sure that we will do well. As a batsman, I am in a good space.”
There is no doubt that Rahane hasn’t proved his mettle in limited-overs cricket as compared to his Test credentials. But the major reason behind this is his uncertain batting position. Nonetheless, Rahane is still hopeful that he can turn the table.
“Yes, to play the World Cup and try and win matches there for your country is a dream for everyone. It's one year away but I have it at the back of my mind that I need to come back to the ODI side,” he concluded.
