WATCH: Ajinkya Rahane says Team India will take WTC final as just another game

Team India are due to face New Zealand in the marquee game at Southampton from June 18-22.

Ajinkya Rahane | GettyDuring the much-awaited World Test Championship (WTC) final, Indian batsmen will be in the spotlight as they will be playing red-call cricket in fickle English conditions after three years.

The Virat-Kohli-led side are due to take on New Zealand in the marquee game at Southampton from June 18-22.

With less than a week to go for the match, India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has said that a batsman who loves challenge will relish the unpredictable conditions in England.

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According to Rahane, who has scored a brilliant match-winning century in the 2014 Lord’s Test, the key to achieve success in English conditions is to play straight and close to the body.

"Batsmen who enjoy batting in challenging conditions will relish in England. If you get set, England is very good place for batting. As a batsman, I have realised that in England, the more you play straight and close the better it is for you," Rahane was quoted as saying by 'bcci.tv'.

"One more thing I feel is that as a batsman you are never set even you are batting on 70 or 80, one ball and there is a chance of you getting out," he added.

Team India have qualified for the WTC final on the back of some remarkable performances in home and away conditions.

Reflecting on their campaign, Rahane said: "Two years we have played consistent cricket as a team and reaching the WTC final is a result of this. It was not easy because in Test cricket you have to give your best in every match."

"Overall the cricket we had played since the start of the WTC, from West Indies, the team has performed as a unit till now."

There might be hype around the big match, but Rahane said they are taking it as just another game.

"Yes, it is an important match but as a team we will take it as just another game. We got quality time here to prepare ourselves. Personally, I am very excited to play the WTC final. We will just try to give our best in this match and accept whatever the result is," he said.

Earlier, Rahane led India to a historic Test series win in Australia even though the visitors were badly hit by injuries and without their regular skipper Virat Kohli (paternity leave).

"Leading the country in Australia was the proudest moment for me because you are representing your country and then winning the series in Australia, especially after losing the first match, it was the biggest series for us.

"Personally I am really happy the way we played in Australia overall but right now it is all about this game and giving our best as a team," he said.

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 14 Jun, 2021

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