Ajinkya Rahane is all set to lead India against Test debutants Afghanistan in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli in Bengaluru from Thursday (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 badly wants the team to start the international season ruthlessly after seven weeks of fireworks in the Indian Premier League.
"Over the last three days, the focus has been on tuning our minds, especially because we're coming in after two months of the IPL. Skill-wise it won't make a difference, but our attitude [towards training] matters if you have to make a quick switch in terms of our mindset from T20s to Test cricket," Rahane quoted by Cricbuzz as saying.
The stand-in India captain also made it clear that their intensity level against Afghanistan will be the same as it is against any opponent.
"It's like any other Test match for us. As a Test team, we cannot take anyone for granted, because cricket is a funny game. We just want to go out there and be ruthless - the way we've been playing throughout the season, especially in this format. Yes, we are going to focus on our strengths and our positives, without thinking about Afghanistan. Yes, we respect them as an opponent, but it's important for all of us to go out there and give more than 100 per cent,” Rahane remarked.
"Our attitude will remain the same on the field. It's important because every Test counts. We don't want to take anyone lightly, but we're lucky to be part of this historic first Test. It will be a great experience - we're all excited - but our focus will be on how to win," he added.
Rahane also hit back at Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai’s comments on the Indian spinners. On Sunday (June 10), Stanikzai had created quite a stir in the Indian cricket fraternity, saying that his team boasts a superior spin attack than the hosts despite a very little experience of first-class cricket.
"Every member of a team always believes their team is good, that their bowling attack or their batting is better. We all know the stats, but [for us it's important that] we don't focus on stats. In Test cricket, throughout the five days, every session matters a lot. It is important that you do your best all the time,” Rahane asserted.
"And our spinners - Kuldeep, Ashwin or Jadeja - they are all experienced, they're all quality spinners. They back each other, they enjoy bowling with each other even in the nets and in the match. Yes, as I mentioned, every member of a team feels their team is much better, but on that given day it's important what your mindset is and how you handle pressure," he further said.
The historic Test match has come up with a golden opportunity for veteran Dinesh Karthik to make amends of his Test career. An unfortunate injury to Wriddhiman Saha had forced the selectors to pick Karthik as a glovesman for the first time since 2010.
Welcoming Karthik in whites, Rahane said: "His experience, his form - the way he was batting in the Asia Cup especially and also in the IPL.... his experience playing those domestic games [will help us]... Coming back after a long time is special, it's good to have him in the team."
