India expecting slow turning wickets against the West Indies, says Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane after scoring a century against New Zealand in a Test match

Ajinkya Rahane feels that India is most likely to play on slow turning tracks in the upcoming Test series in the Caribbean and they are preparing with that in mind. Recently India played two warm-up matches against the West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI where the Indian spinners took as many as 16 wickets combined. If the practice matches set the trend for the rest of the series, then the spinning trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja would be eager to pick up wickets regularly. 

As quoted by WisdenIndia the middle-order batsman said, “Patience will be the key as a batting unit but once you get set, it is important to count each and every session because we will have to give time for our bowlers. It is not easy to take 20 wickets on these kind of pitches, especially on the slower tracks. As a batting unit, we will have to take responsibility and I think one or two batsmen will have to get set and score big here.”

The Indian cricket team has gone through a lot in the past few weeks. With Anil Kumble being appointed as the head coach and the confusion revolving the Ravi Shastri-Sourav Ganguly spat, it would have been difficult for the players to concentrate on their game.

Rahane feels that Kumble is doing a good job handling the whole situation as the batsman added, “He has been handling it really well, and we are really happy to have him as the coach with us, because his experience will take us forward as Indian team. He has been fantastic throughout these three weeks, and 6-7 days in camp. His inputs are helping us and in future his experience, his words and the kind of cricket he played, he will share with us.”

The Vice-captain of the team feels that it is not correct to plan the innings so early, and should be patient till the first day of the Test to arrive. “You cut out certain shots because technically I don’t think we will have to change anything really. But we will have to cut out some shots initially, in the first or second session, and after that when you get used to the conditions, you will play your shots,” said Rahane.

Rahane has been a key member for India in the longer version. Most of his memorable innings he played was overseas. His maiden Test century was in Wellington against New Zealand. Since he toured South Africa back in 2013, he cemented his place in the squad. He achieved a unique feat in 2015 when he scored a century in each inning of a Test match against South Africa in Delhi. He is one of the most elegant players in the present day and is going to play a vital part in the upcoming series.

India play their first Test against the West Indies from 21 July, in Antigua.