Dubai: Delhi Capitals batsman Ajinkya Rahane believes he could have batted at No.4 for India in the 2019 World Cup and is ready to change his batting order in the IPL.
“I was actually thinking that I’d be there in the World Cup, batting at No. 4 but see what happens…it’s gone now, you can’t think too much about it,” Rahane said at a virtual press conference.
“I don’t think too much about it, yes especially when I was there playing county cricket when the World Cup was happening and as a player everyone wants to be a part of the World Cup team, especially when you know you’ve worked hard and your record in the past was really good.”
Rahane was not picked for the 2019 World Cup squad.
For DC in the IPL, he is ready to bat in the middle order as the teams has established opeeners in Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Jason Roy and Alex Carey.
“What role I’m going to play, I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and watch,” said Rahane and added, “I’m always open, whatever team asks me to do for that particular role, I always give my best.
“Having said that, I always opened throughout my career, so I always enjoy opening the batting. It’s completely upto the team, team management what they want to give me a role and I’ll 100% accept that.”
“If that’s the situation given to me, to play at No. 5 or 6, then I’ll take it up definitely. Because for me too, as a cricketer, it’s a new opportunity and if I do well there for the team, then I can explore something new about the game. So the answer for that is – Yes.”
His role is yey to be made clear, Rahane said.
“As I said, coming out of this situation where there has been no cricket for 5-6 months, when you get to know your role in the team – as a opener or middle order, you need good 5-6 sessions to actually do the work – get that mindset about which number you’re going to bat on and then play accordingly.
“The wickets might get slower and slower, weather factor…it’s important to get adjusted to it and I think it’s about faith, and having patience, it’s not about panicking. And backing from your team, that’s really important.
“One good innings and batsmen can actually do wonders, so just one good innings…15-20 runs in T20 cricket and people are on. So it’s all about adjustments, and I think 5-6 good quality practice sessions will really help.”
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