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Says he is
mentally prepared to play in all three formats of the game
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New Delhi(Agencies): India
batsman Ajinkya Rahane is trusting his instincts to make an ODI comeback, a
format he last played in February 2018.
The 32-year-old said he was
mentally preparing himself to play all three formats.
"I am ready to bat at any
position in ODI cricket, whether opening or No. 4 or whatever, I am ready. My
instinct answers yes, I want to make a comeback in ODI cricket," Rahane
told former India wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta on an ESPNcricinfo chat show.
"But when the opportunity
will come, we don't know. Mentally I am preparing to play all the formats. It
is all about being positive about yourself and about your abilities."
To make an ODI comeback will
be tougher than ever considering the stiff competition. He will be comfortable
batting at four but fellow Mumbaikar Shreyas Iyer has secured that spot for
now. The team also has a settled opening pair in Rohit Sharma and Shikhar
Dhawan.
"I have enjoyed opening
the innings, but I don't mind batting at No. 4 if I am asked to do so. I have
enjoyed both roles," he said when asked which position he would prefer in
ODI cricket.
"It is very hard to
suddenly open the innings and adjust to it after you have been batting at No. 4
for a while, which I had done. It is hard to say which position I prefer. I can
do well in both," said Rahane who has played 90 ODIs.
Rahane has also played in 65
Tests, the last being during the New Zealand tour in February.
He has also not been a part of
the Indian T20 team for nearly four years.
Asked about his approach in
T20 cricket, he said, "I don't try and copy anyone in T20 cricket. My
cricketing shots are inside out, behind the bowler, and other shots I have developed.”
"I think if you are sure
of your shots, you should back them. If I am playing 18 overs, I aim to see how
I can get my strike rate to 150-160," said the Mumbaikar.
Rahane said it's important to
break down innings in T20 cricket. "For example, if I am batting after
sixth over, I have to plan accordingly."
He said he got advice from the
great Rahul Dravid that it did not matter whether a shot looked good or not as
long as runs were coming.
"Sometimes the shots you
play in T20s don't look good. But Rahul bhai told me not to bother about what
the shots look like, whether it's bad or looks bad from outside. He said it
does not matter. He said in T20 cricket, one needs to watch the ball and hit
it," said Rahane. PTI
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