Ajinkya Rahane’s poor run of form in County Cricket a concern for India

After a gruelling campaign in the 2019 World Cup, Team India is set to resume playing Test cricket in the West Indies in August. It means some of their Test specialists will make a comeback, one of the mainstays in the Test side Ajinkya Rahane, is currently plying his trade for Hampshire in the County Championship Division 1. However, the right-hander isn’t in the greatest of form with the bat in hand.

In seven matches, Rahane has 307 runs at a dismal average of 23.61. He scored 119 in the match against Nottingham at Newport. But ever since, has gotten only a solitary half-century versus Somerset in Taunton. The Mumbai batter also bagged a pair versus Essex in Chelmsford. Despite the poor form, Rahane is seeming to be enjoying his stint in English conditions.

“In England, the weather plays an important role and your game plan changes accordingly. In the first two games, the weather was different to what it is now. Here, all the club grounds are different from each other and it’s been an experience playing here. I have enjoyed a lot,” the 31-year-old Rahane was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

It is important to spend time in the middle, says Rahane

He also got a few 30s and 40s in the first-class season but hasn’t been able to convert them. But he isn’t concerned and reckons that one need to stick to the basics in order to make the starts count. For Rahane, the preparation is of prime significance.

“For me, preparation is very important and it’s also about getting into the zone. The 30s, 40s or the 50s will convert to big scores if you stick to your basics. It is important as a batsman to convert starts into big scores once you are set. But I don’t think there’s a problem anywhere,” the Indian Test vice-captain added.

“As a batsman, it is important to spend time in the middle. The more time you spend at the crease, the better it is for you. It makes you more confident. And that’s what I am looking at. I am not thinking too much about the runs. Yes, runs are important but if you spend time in the middle, runs will come automatically. The practice sessions are also important,” he further said.

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Rahane is one of the fulcrums of India’s middle-order in Test cricket. In 56 matches, he has 3,488 runs at an average of 40.55 with nine centuries and 17 half-centuries. His form in the format has been a concern with his last Test ton coming way back in August 2017 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.