Mumbai: Ajinkya Rahane insisted on Friday that India’s batsmen are not bad players against spin bowling, adding that they will aim to improve their performance in the forthcoming Test series against South Africa at home.
“The current Indian batsmen are not bad against spin. But the credit goes to Sri Lankan spinners for bowling well. Our intention against them was to see off the first spell, what they are trying to do then is take them on,” Rahane said at the launch of former India cricketer Aakash Chopra’s book.
India last week completed a 2-1 Test series win in Sri Lanka — their first triumph there for 22 years — and the Mumbai batsman believes the team will do well in the upcoming four-match Test series against the Proteas.
“Our main motto in Sri Lanka was to score as quickly as possible and give ample time to our bowlers to take 20 wickets and that is what our bowlers have done and full credit goes to them,” the right-hander said.
“We will aim at doing well against South Africa as well. We will look to improve our game against their spinners.”
Speaking about the pros and cons of switching from the longer format to shorter format and vice versa, the 27-year-old said: “The challenge is in our mind. We are now used to playing in all formats of the game. [To be] able to adjust to formats is all in our minds.”
Rahane recently created a record by taking eight catches in a Test match against Sri Lanka and he feels patience, anticipation and staying calm is the most essential tool behind the skill.
“While fielding at slip we must be patient. Anticipation and staying calm will surely make you a good slip fielder. I tried to get these three things right here,” Rahane said.
