Interview with Ajinkya Rahane: "The key is keeping things simple and believing in myself"

Ajinkya Rahane

Robust temperament, trenchant batting technique and an unassuming demeanour are the hallmarks of Ajinkya Rahane. Having done exceedingly well on all four overseas tours in last one and half years, he is touted as one of the most complete batsmen of his generation.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Rahane talks about his success on overseas tours, his much-vaunted Lord’s ton, batting in different formats, and his future goals.

You have been India’s best Test batsman across 4 overseas tours in last year. What clicked for you?

I think I learned immensely on South Africa and England tours, especially how to quickly adapt according to different conditions. And the confidence I gained from these two tours stood me in good stead during the Australia series and in World Cup 2015.

Among the young batting brigade of the Indian team, only you managed to score runs in England. What different did you do from the rest of the batsmen?

I didn’t exactly do anything different. In Team India, each player has a defined role. However, collectively we all strive to crack hundreds and win matches. I can bat in any number in the team, either in Tests or ODIs. I put my best foot forward and it gives me enormous joy when my innings help the team in crisis. I’m glad that it happened at Lord’s against England.

Talk about your Test hundred at the Lord’s. You demonstrated credible temperament and technique on a difficult pitch.

It was a special feeling playing at the Lord’s. A lot of people told me before the match that everyone dreams to score a ton at the Mecca of cricket. I knew that Dilip Vengsarkar Sir, Sourav Ganguly, and Ajit Agarkar from India had scored centuries in their first Test match at Lord’s. At the back of the mind, I too wanted to attain this honour.

I was nervous before the match, but on a match day I felt a considerable amount of confidence. It was a special day in my career and I would never forget those moments. My team-mates backed me to the hilt, and the fact that India won the Test made it an innings to cherish for posterity.

How different was the Test hundred at Melbourne from the one at Lord’s in terms of scoring runs and emotions you felt?

Every Test hundred is special. The difference between these two centuries was the quality of bowling. Australia had a formidable pace attack. To play Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc in their home conditions was a massive challenge. But I was confident to earn my spurs. During the inning, Virat and I had a positive conversation. His words spurred me on. Actually we are backing each other during the partnership and both of us were in our element.

How disappointing was it to lose series both in England and Australia despite you doing very well with bat?

It’s a part and parcel of the game. We had a young team and it was a great learning curve for each of us. We made a few mistakes and learned some valuable lessons and managed to put up the good show in the World Cup 2015.

India’s Ajinkya Rahane reaches a century during the 2014/15 Test series against Australia

Were you dejected after missing out on a Test hundred at Durban? How did you cope with it?

I regretted it for some time but quickly wriggled myself out from that frame of mind. The knock at Durban gave me tremendous confident, and I hammered a Test ton in New Zealand.

Was it at the back of your mind to do well overseas? What preparations did you make before the each tour?

I didn’t do anything special but yes I did put in a lot of hard work. At times, our Mumbai Ranji team coach Praveen Amre and I spent lots of hours in the nets. He gave me valuable insights about the condition of particular tours, and we discussed how to acclimatize quickly to excel. We also studied the strengths of bowlers I was poised to face on different tours. That helped me to step up and take up the cudgels.

Did you speak to Rahul Dravid or Sachin Tendulkar regarding batting in overseas conditions?

I always seek their suggestions and tips. Both of them are my role models. I have always looked up to them since my childhood. Sachin Paji always talks to me before the tour. He tells me to play my natural game and a chat with him invariably boosts my morale. Rahul bhai is our Rajasthan Royals Mentor. I am fortunate that I can spend a more time with him. He teaches me how to remain focused and keep myself calm at the crease.

How do you look back at the World Cup campaign? Are you satisfied with the performance of the Indian team?

I think we played splendid cricket throughout the tournament. Every player was supremely committed to come good. Mahi bhai led from the front and guided us with aplomb. He knows the strengths and capabilities of each player and assigns a particular role to the each member. We gave our 100 per cent and reached the semi-final undefeated.

What is the key to be successful in T20s as well as Tests?

I just play according to the situation whether I’m playing Test matches or limited-overs matches. I keep the things simple and believe in my capabilities. I reckon that’s the key.

What adjustments do you make while playing the IPL? Do you easily adapt while switching from the Test mode to the T20s?

Really, nothing much. I don’t experiment with my batting. I just play my shots whichever format I’m batting in. In T20s, bowlers are always under pressure compared to batsmen. I just wait for the right balls and play according to its merit.

There is a perception that at times you suddenly succumb to soft dismissals in the ODIs despite batting well.

Sometimes it happens that you try to play some shots and they don’t come off. But I make it a point to watch videos and try to ratify those errors in nets session.

Have you set any goals to attain in the next couple of years?

We all have one goal that is to give our 100 percent on the field. If you’re asking about my personal goal, then I want to see myself playing a significant role to help Team India lift the World T20 2016 and 2019 World Cup.