Our focus is just on the next two games and not looking too far ahead, says Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane, whose partnership of 99 runs in 16 overs with comeback man Robin Uthappa led India to win its first match on Sunday, was discreet in his and said that his focus for now is on the next two games.
"This [series] is a great opportunity for everyone to just express yourself. We don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves. Obviously, as a batsman you need that confidence going into a new series and the first game against Bangladesh in Bangladesh is always a challenge because they are a good team and they play well here," Rahane said.
It looked like India would reach the original victory target of 273 without any damage as Robin Uthappa and Ajinkya Rahane were batting with ridiculous ease against some very ordinary Bangladesh bowling. Only a mistake could have separated them and umpire Enamul Haque made one to terminate Uthappa’s innings when Shakib Al Hasan appealed for a leg before decision against Uthappa. India had raced to 99/0 in 16 overs by this time and the rain started pouring down when India were 100 for one in 16.4 overs and resulted in a two-and-a-half hours delay.
Cheteshwar Pujara got out in the second ball after resumption. Rahane was circumspect to start with but soon joined the party by getting down the wicket to Mashrafe Mortaza and dispatching him to the mid-on fence.
"I wanted to be not out till the end. Happy that we won the game though, that's what we wanted. We've got that momentum now and we just want to continue with it. We're not looking too far ahead. Right now, we are just focusing on the next two games.
"We want to back our game and personally I am not thinking too far ahead. I just want to bat well and improve my game with every match," Rahane said.
Asked if he would like to comment on the hoopla created lately regarding the young Indian squad to Bangladesh he said, "Every international game will count. So we are not thinking about it [making a statement]. Whoever is here, they did really well in domestic cricket and that's why they are here. I think youngsters and the newcomers are really talented and really hard working. The two debutants did really well too. It's a good learning experience for everyone."
Rahane also appreciated Suresh Raina’s role as a captain where he tactically handled his bowlers under the scorching sun especially at times when Mohit Sharma could bowl only 5.4 overs owing to a problem with his leg which resulted in 43 runs in the last five overs, three of which were bowled by spinners.
“All these things [runs in death overs] happen in this heat. It is really challenging and I thought the bowlers did well in this challenging situation. Raina supported all the bowlers really well because it was really hot and challenging for them in the first half of the game. I think backing and supporting them is going to be really crucial in the next two games."
Chasing a revised target of 150 in 26 overs, India rode on half-centuries from openers Ajinkya Rahane (64) and Robin Uthappa (50) to reach home with seven balls to spare. India now has a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.