NEWS
Follow UsAjinkya Rahane knows that he is going through a lean patch but is confident of returning back to his best. The 33-year-old middle-order batter, who will be playing for Mumbai in the forthcoming Ranji Trophy, averages just over 20 in his last 15 Tests and has only three 50-plus scores in his last 27 innings.
"I believe in myself. I believe in my abilities. In South Africa, I was batting really well. I made some contributions. I accept that I am going through a bad phase. Everyone goes through phases like these. There were players who had gone through this before me. And, there will be payers who will go through this phase after me as well. Everyone has to go through this phase and this is not permanent. Neither am I running away from it nor am I hiding, I am simply accepting it," he told the Times of India.
"I believe there is still cricket left in me. Not just Test cricket, the shorter formats also and I am really looking forward to that. Right now, I am just focussing on the moment. Right now, I am just focussing on the Ranji Trophy and want to give my best for the Mumbai team. I am confident that I will be back (in the Indian team). I do believe in myself. This phase is not permanent and I am learning from it. Those who have gone through this phase, have made comebacks too."
Rahane even lost the Test vice-captaincy to Rohit Sharma prior to the tour of South Africa but the right-handed batter is not too worried about it. “That was entirely the selectors' decision. Nothing was in my control. I respect that decision. Rohit is doing really well and he is leading the team really well. I was happy for Rohit. He played a lot of cricket to get there. We are good friends too. I am really happy for Rohit. I don't think about something that is not in my control. It was the selectors' call. Selectors made me the vice-captain and they made me the captain too. Making Rohit the vice-captain was their decision and I completely respect that.”
Rahane said he doesn’t like to talk too much but that doesn’t mean people should take him for granted. “I have my own method and everyone has different methods and different styles. For me, what worked for me, I backed that. I don't express myself much. I just mind my own business. Whatever needs to be done on the field, whatever is important, I just focus on that. At the same time, no one should take me for granted. I know what is happening. For me, the team is important, the team is special, and giving my best to the team and winning a Test match or winning a series anywhere is important and special. I don't express too much. I don't say too much. I quietly do my job but that doesn't mean that people should take me for granted.”
Things might not have been going in Rahane’s favour of late but it was under his captaincy that India won a Test series in Australia. They were bundled out for mere 36 runs in the second innings of the opening Test and were without Virat Kohli (paternity leave) for the last three encounters. There were multiple injuries too but India kept fighting and eventually won the series 2-1.
"It was really special. Not just for all of us, but for every Indian. Everyone will remember the series forever. I am not going to take any credit for myself. But the way we made a comeback after Adelaide's defeat was something special. Yes, I had my own plans, as a captain and as a batsman. I have a different style of leading the team. And I just backed that. For me, it was important to give confidence to each and every individual. I have a habit of speaking one-on-one with players rather than speaking in front of everyone. I just backed that style.
"The Melbourne innings was really special for me (112 off 223 balls in India first innings of the second Test). Winning that Test match was a real comeback. From there onwards, we played to our potential, we backed each other and most importantly, we enjoyed each other's success. That was the important thing in the series - backing each other and enjoying each other's success.
"First of all, it was important for me to believe. If I will believe, others will have faith automatically. My way is different. If I want to do something, I will not go and tell everyone. I just want to take the best out of every single player. I want every player to play their role and give them confidence. Every captain has his own way of handling things, mine is different. When I sat in the room, I asked myself whether I believe or not. And the answer was 'Yes'. I said to myself that anything is possible. That's how it started. It was the belief that kept all of us going. I saw that confidence and belief in everyone.
"All I wanted was everyone should give their hundred percent and play good cricket with a good attitude. Whatever people speak outside, we cannot control. What we can control is to focus on cricket and focus on playing good cricket and have that good energy and good environment. Everyone should have a good attitude and positivity inside. And, that's what we did. That's how it worked. And I want to credit every single member of the team for this success. Everyone played their role and contributed. It was really special."