Rohit Sharma gives freedom and back the players: Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane was dropped from the Indian team because of his lean patch. The vice-captaincy was taken away from him so that he could focus of his batting, but the runs were still scarce. Out of the Indian team, Rahane hoped to have a ‘second wind’, he would have to find his own meadow and his own sky. Rahane turned back the clock. He had chosen his backyard to show the world that he had hit a second wind turning back the clock.
Rahane followed a good domestic season with an exhilarating run in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. Rahane had hung in and was recalled to the Test side for the WTC final. Rahane scored 89 in Indian first innings in WTC final. Despite India’s loss, he was reinstated as Team India’s vice-captain for the West Indies tour, which is not new for him.
“I am used to this role. I was vice-captain for almost four-five years,” Rahane told reporters on Monday ahead of the first Test against West Indies at Windsor Park, Dominica.

“I am really happy to be back in the team and really happy to be back as a vice-captain.”
Rejuvenated with his recent form with the bat the 35-year-old from Mumbai feels, he still got a lot of cricket ahead of him and at present he is enjoying his batting.
“I am still young. There’s still a lot of cricket in me,” he said.

Straight from Dominica 👍 👍
Getting into the Test groove 👌 👌#TeamIndia | #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/uSGFWOHiYR
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2023
“I had a good IPL and domestic season. I have grown in confidence as a batsman but in the past one and half year I have also worked a lot on my fitness.
“I have worked on few aspects of my batting. At the moment I am enjoying my cricket. I am not thinking too much about the future. For now every match is important for me,” he added.
It was not only about the fire in his belly that brought Rahane back into the Indian team. There has been a little technical tweak but most importantly the freedom and backing he received from his former India captain MS Dhoni at CSK set up, that has given the much-needed confidence that he still belongs at the top level. Batting at No 4 for CSK, Rahane smashed 326 runs at a staggering strike rate of 172.49. He has had a great IPL seasons in the past the approach he shown in the 15th edition took everyone surprise.

“In the IPL CSK has given me freedom. As a player when you have been given a role, you try to fulfil it. Before this in the IPL my role was to be an anchor but CSK team management gave me the freedom and they wanted me to play my natural game. I am a natural stroke player. It has been a role reversal for me,” he said.
Ajinkya has led India to the famous Test series win in Australia in 2019-2020. In his previous stint as vice-captain, he has been the deputy to Virat Kohli, but for the first time in West Indies, he would play under Rohit Sharma, his Mumbai teammate.

“WTC final was the first game where I played under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. Rohit gives freedom to all the players and those are good traits of a great captain,” said Rahane.
With no Cheteshwar Pujara (who has been dropped) and Mohammed Shami (rested), India will have a inexperienced batter at No 3 and in the pace bowling bowling attack as well.

“It would be great opportunity for that individual who will be playing in place of Pujara. I am not sure who is going to play at No 3 but I am sure whoever will get the chance will do well,” he said.
“For the pacers, who are going to play in place of Shami, too will have a great chance. It’s an opportunity for everyone to do well. Mohammed Shami obviously is a senior bowler, he has done well for us but you need to give rest to him because there is a long season ahead,” he added.

Rahane also lauded youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is tipped to bat at No 3 for India.
“Firstly, I am really happy for him (Jaiswal). He is a really exciting talent. He has done exceptionally well in the domestic cricket for Mumbai and then in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals. Most importantly the way he is batting in the red ball. He did well in the Duleep Trophy last year. His numbers are really good. My message to him will be just express your batting, don’t think too much about the International cricket. It’s all about going out in the middle and playing your game,” said Rahane.
With West Indies cricket hitting a new low after they failed to qualify for the ODI World Cup, but team India’s vice-captain says the hosts cannot be taken lightly in their own backyard.

“We have a great respect for West Indies. We are not taking West Indies lightly no matter what people are saying.
“We have played two day practice game. Preparation wise, we have covered all the areas. It’s all about starting well in Test cricket. Focus is on our game plan, strength and keep backing our team plan,” he said.