Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane made the most of a short gap he got between his stint for Hampshire and the country’s two-match Test series in West Indies by training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
Rahane, who played his last county match for Hampshire between July 13 and 16, moved to Bangalore to train under the guidance of his idol Rahul Dravid and prepare for the West Indies Test series, starting on August 22.
“I was doing my fitness. The reason of going to Bangalore was because it was raining heavily in Mumbai and Bangalore was the best place. I trained under Rahul Dravid, he has been one of my role models,” said Rahane, who was the chief guest at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) annual awards function here on Saturday.
Rahane said India could not take the Caribbeans lightly. “We all know they are an unpredictable team. For us, it is important to respect them and play our game. I am looking forward to give my best.”
The middle order batsman was excited about the World Test championship. “This is something we all are looking forward to. Every Test match and every series is special and the best thing about Test cricket is you have to follow your routine day in and day out.
“I believe in hard work. That’s what you can control… If you do hard work then remember someone somewhere is watching you.”
Former international Arun Lal, who was given the Kartick Bose Lifetime Achievement Award, said it was an emotional moment for him. “The only thing that comes to my mind is gratefulness. As an outsider, I was embraced immediately. I have got more than I bargained for and more than I deserved,” said Lal.
CAB president Sourav Ganguly said Lal, who played for the Bengal Ranji Trophy winning side in 1989-90, was an inspiration for every cricketer. “Under you (as a coach), I hope Bengal can win the Ranji Trophy again,” said Ganguly.
The state women’s team and women’s under-23 side and under-19 side – which won National championships – were also felicitated.
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