The importance of ‘process’ for Ajinkya Rahane

Coming into the Test series against West Indies, Rahane’s form was a subject of widespread debate but the right-hander silenced his critics in style.

Published : Aug 30, 2019 11:54 IST , Kingston (Jamaica)

Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a Test hundred after two years, preferred a quiet celebration.
Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a Test hundred after two years, preferred a quiet celebration.
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Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a Test hundred after two years, preferred a quiet celebration.

 

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane says scoring his 10th Test century after a drought of two years was special and he became “a bit emotional” after reaching the feat in Antigua.

Rahane played match-winning knocks of 81 and 102 in the first Test against the West Indies which India won by a huge margin of 381 runs in Antigua.

“I thought the 10th hundred was really special. I wasn’t thinking about any particular celebration, it came out automatically. I was a little bit emotional,” Rahane told reporters here.

Coming into the Test series, Rahane’s form was a subject of widespread debate but the India Test vice-captain silenced his critics in style.

READ| Amre feels for Rohit, but credits Rahane for resurgence

“It took me two years to get that 10th hundred. As I said, the process always matters to me a lot. Preparations before each and every series is very important. I was actually doing that throughout the two years,” he said.

India was reeling at 25 for 3 in the first innings when Rahane came out to bat and the right-hander said he saw it as an opportunity to do something special for the team.

“We were under pressure. I thought West Indies bowled really well throughout that day. It was an opportunity for me to do something special for my team. I think because of the situation I wasn’t thinking about myself as it was important to get that partnership going — one player had to bat and we knew that,” said Rahane.

“We did really well and came back strongly from that point. It definitely felt really special for me because I got to know what it takes to get a century after two years. I’ve been working really hard on my batting. That partnership with Virat (Kohli) was really crucial.,” he said.

ALSO READ| Bumrah spell in Antigua ‘one of the best’, says bowling coach Arun

Rahane was also lavish in his praise for all-rounder Hanuman Vihari.

“Vihari did very well in India A tours and he did really well in the domestic circuit. So it’s good that players who actually did consistently well over a period of time in domestic cricket are doing well at the international level,” he said.

“At the same time, Rohit is also a quality player, a special player — it’s hard to see him miss out on a Test match,” he added.

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