NORTH SOUND: After rescuing India with a crucial 81 on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies in Antigua, India batsman Ajinkya Rahane said that missing out on a hundred didn’t bother him. Rahane, who last scored a Test hundred against Sri Lanka in 2017, had since made five fifty-plus scores in 28 innings. On Thursday, he added a sixth to that tally to help India survive day one against a competitive Jason Holder-led West
Indies.
The 31-year-old walked in when the West Indies pacers had reduced the visitors to 25/3 early in the first session. Rahane then steadied proceedings, sharing crucial stands of 68 with KL Rahul for the fourth wicket and 82 with Hanuma Vihari for the fifth, an ICC report said.
“As long as I am at the crease, I am thinking about my team, I am not a selfish guy,” Rahane said after play. “I am not too concerned about the hundred as I thought 81 on that wicket was really crucial as we are now in a decent position.” “As long as I am contributing for my team, that is what matters. Yes, I was
thinking about my hundred, but the situation we are in ? 25/3 ? was tricky. As I have said, I just thought if I could contribute for my team, I am not too concerned about my hundred, as that will come automatically,” he said. Rahane also said that the early exchanges were tough for batting, as India lost Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli early. “At the start of our innings, the wicket was tricky. It was a bit sticky (spongy bounce), and there was sideways movement. Throughout the day, they bowled pretty well. What was important was to have a partnership going and still be
positive in our intent. The partnership with Rahul was crucial at that situation,”
he said. “For me, it was important as we were playing a Test match after a long time,
nearly seven months after January’s series win in Australia, and I wanted to hang in there, play as many balls possible and take my team to a good position,” Rahane added. (agencies)
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