AJINKYA RAHANE EXCLUSIVE

Contributing towards a winning cause is the only thing that keeps me going: Ajinkya Rahane

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'I've believed it is important to back your cricket and give your entire focus. I try and do that, irrespective of whether it's a match or in the nets.' © Cricbuzz

Fresh from his success in the recent series against South Africa, where he became just the fifth Indian batsman to register a century in both innings of a Test match, Ajinkya Rahane says he's trying to improve with each game. In an exclusive interview on Saturday, Rahane spoke of his batting, the Indian team and his role in it and factors that have been contributing to his cricket the last two years. Excerpts...

You seem to be making heads turn and people seem to be changing their opinion of you...

I have always believed it is important to back your cricket and give your entire focus and commitment when you're out there in the middle. I try and do that, irrespective of whether I'm playing a match or practicing in the nets. I respect the game and just try and keep looking at ways to improve. I don't think about outside things, like who's saying what, what's going to happen. What I do on the field is the only thing that matters. Contributing to the team and contributing towards a winning cause is the only thing that keeps me going.

When you say, 'I never think about outside things', is it something that naturally came to you as a person or is it something you cultivated over a period of time?

It comes naturally to me because since childhood, I've always been like that, looking after my cricket, what I need to do and concentrating on what is important for me. It's still a learning phase for me but one of the things I always try and keep in mind is to work on things that are in my control, things that I can focus on. It's going to be a constant learning phase for me and I'm looking forward to that.

One thought marriage changed you.

Marriage changed (me) a lot. It's been a great helping phase. The support you receive from your partner is very important and goes a long way. Especially, when she's travelling during a tour, I always have that moral support, regardless of whether I do well or don't. Someone is actually there to help you and support you emotionally and you can share your thoughts with her. That is great. I'm so lucky to have her in my life. She's understanding, knows my routine ­ what I do and don't do before a Test match and things like that. She's already sacrificing so much for me, I'm really lucky.

What was the feeling like when you got that second hundred in Delhi?

I just completely went blank when I got the single off Imran Tahir in that second innings to get the century. I actually didn't know how to celebrate. I didn't even remove my helmet, just raised both my hands. But, inside my mind, it was a very special feeling. It was second innings and we were 4-57. We actually had to bide time and there was a good partnership going between me and Virat ­ [Kohli] - 151 runs. That day, I clearly remember, Virat was batting very well. He was scoring at a strike rate of 70-80. So, my thinking was just to keep giving him the strike and to take my time.

You and Virat seem to connect well...

There's always been good communication between us (me and Virat), like it was in that second innings of the Delhi Test. We like batting with each other. In the second innings in Delhi, he was batting so well and it was a good partnership. I remember telling him... 'you just take your time' because he was batting on 82 and I was 50-odd and I thought I'll take the risks until he gets his century and then he can take over. It's great batting with him.

The entire series was a good one for you, but the batting in Delhi showcased your mental strengths...

Before going to Delhi, during the Nagpur Test, I spent a lot of time in the nets with Sanjay Bangar. One particular day, we were out there for close to two hours working on my batting.

I just wanted to get that discipline right. And when I say discipline, I'm talking about the discipline of mind. I was never worried about the technical aspect. I just had to get my mental framework in place and that's what I did. I guess it paid off in the Delhi Test because that's what I did. I batted with discipline. Both the centuries were a result of just discipline and focus.

So, what kind of a batsman you see yourself growing into? One who likes to dominate or the kind who grind it out and have a lasting affect?

Initially, I just like to take it slow, spend time in the middle, figure out which way things are going, get to some 25, 30 runs and then open up. The one thing on top of my mind is to always back my instincts and play proper cricketing shots. Of course, it always depends on what the (match) situation is. Sometimes, you get that feeling that you can walk in and straightaway start looking for runs. In Bangladesh, for instance, I did that. I got 90-odd off just 102 balls. At that time, the situation demanded me to play that way. Sometimes you just have to do the opposite, spend time, get used to the conditions, get used to the wicket and then try and play your shots. To be in tune with what the team requires is what one needs to do. I try and focus on that.

There have been constant shifts in your batting positions. Does that bother you?

I don't think too much about it. If the team asks me to bat in a particular position, I just concentrate on that. My job is to go out there and give my best. In fact, if the team is asking me to bat in different positions, I actually find it motivating because that means the team believes in my ability to do so. It means that I can bat in any position, in any situation. That is actually a very good thing. It's also a great learning curve. It's teaching me to adjust in any position and any situation. You always get to learn something.

What are the advantages of playing with a young team and growing up together?

This team... we've been playing together for close to two years now and it's been a culture that we always back each other on and off the field. There's freedom to express ourselves. Anyone can just say anything to anyone that can improve the game on all levels and it's always good for the team. We created that culture and we all are enjoying it. In the nets too, if me and Virat are batting together, we keep looking at ways to improve each other's game and try and help each other out. As long as everything eventually helps the team, it's great.

We all know of Rahul Dravid's contribution to your cricket. Are there more people who've played behind-the-scene roles in your career?

Well, there are so many of them. Every member of the team is looking to improve each other's game. A lot of credit has to go to the support staff as well. They do a fantastic job. They keep giving us important tips so that we can get better were the game and fitness is concerned. Everyone... Sanjay Bangar, Bharat Arun, Ravi Shastri. Especially Virat. He goes to each and every player, discusses cricket, looks at ways to communicate at all the time. At the end of the day, it's about everybody trying to move ahead as a team.

What kind of a difference has Ravi Shastri made to the dressing room...

Ravi's presence in the dressing room is massive. He gives you that positive vibe and energy to do well on the field. It's great to have a person like him in the dressing room. I'm sure he's also enjoying being with us. We certainly are. He has views that have proved to be very helpful.

You have a legacy to continue ­ the Bombay school of batting. That's added responsibility on your shoulders...

Firstly, playing for Mumbai itself was an honour. I still remember when I made my debut in Karachi and I got that 100. I have those values in me (that befit a Mumbai cricketer) and I have really learnt a lot playing for my city. When I started off, there were some very senior members in the side. Sachin paaji used to come whenever he had the time. Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Wasim Jaffer, Amol Muzumdar... all of them. I learnt a lot from them and those values and memories are something I'll always carry with me. To know that you're carrying forward a legacy that's been put in place by some of the greatest names in the game ­ Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and so many others ­ is a great feeling.

A lot of talk happened about the pitches during this series. Your thoughts?

We never talk about it. We never think about it. For us, it is important to dominate a situation in Test cricket, win that situation and play well. Whatever the wicket is, it is the same for both the sides. As long as we're playing proper cricket. It's great.

Is Dravid still the guiding light in your career?

Of course, and he continues to play a very important role. Before the Pataudi lecture, we just had a discussion on my game. At times, we just talk over the phone or he sends me a text when he feels he has something important to convey . He just wished me before the series and said 'it's your first long series in India, do well'. Words coming from him actually motivate me a lot. It's massive when he begins to share his experiences with me.

©Reuters

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