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India vs New Zealand: Ajinkya Rahane wants Indian batsmen to show more intent in 2nd Test
Ajinkya Rahane has insisted that the Indian batsmen must deal with the Kiwi pacers with more “intent” ahead of must-win second Test between India and New Zealand in Christchurch.
Ajinkya Rahane has insisted that the Indian batsmen must deal with the Kiwi pacers with more "intent" ahead of must-win second Test between India and New Zealand in Christchurch.
The Indians struggled against the awkward angles as New Zealanders used the short ball freely to trouble the visitors. Rahane, who top-scored in the first innings with 46 runs and scored another 29 runs in the final innings, said that they will be able to perform better in the second Test as he believes the green top at the Hagley Oval will be better for batting compared to the one they got in Wellington.
"I am not saying (we have to be) more aggressive but having that intent and clear mindset will help us. I think they used that angle really well in Wellington. Bowling wide of the crease or from the centre, they changed angles while bowling the short balls. I think their plan was completely clear.
As a batsman, if you going to think about a particular shot, then you need to back yourself and play that shot. You cannot doubt yourself. We need to forget what happened in Wellington," the Indian vice-captain said in a press conference on Thursday.
Rahane also mentioned that the net sessions ahead of the second Test, which is set to begin on Saturday, are being used to practice undoing the discomfited angles that the BlackCaps pacers can generate.
"That's what I said: try and learn what mistakes we did as a group, what can we learn. I think we have to practice those angles. We had a practice session and we have one more tomorrow. And you have to practice that and trust your ability in the middle.
But to change or adjust those angles there are times you need to be instinctive while you are batting. It can mean standing on off-stump, or standing outside the crease or staying deep inside the crease like if it is a pitch for cut shot then you can stand deeper in the crease. This is the mental side of the game.
For me, as a batsman it is important you show your intent to the bowler, if you stand in one spot then the bowler doesn't need to change anything. These are small things we have been working on in practice and how to use the crease and the angles. Doesn't matter how much you practice you must trust or have the belief to be able to do it in the middle," the Mumbai cricketer added further.
