We play the short ball really well: Rahane ahead of the Adelaide Test

Team India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will have his hands full during the Border-Gavaskar Series, taking on the baton from Virat Kohli after the first Test match in Adelaide. The opening pink ball day/nighter of the four-match Test series, starting December 17, presents a different set of challenges for Indian players even as they look to get off the blocks with a good start.

The foremost challenge for Kohli, Rahane and coach Ravi Shastri will be to get the team combination right, having been presented with multiple choices by national selectors for the tour Down Under. Who will partner opener Mayank Aggarwal―will it be Shubhman Gill or Prithvi Shaw? What will the bowling combination be?

Speaking to the media two days ahead of the Adelaide Test, Rahane said the team is yet to figure out its final combination though he did say that off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will have a key role to play both with the bat and ball. He also spoke of the challenges posed by the Kookaburra pink ball especially during the twilight hours for the batsmen. Excerpts from the interaction are as follows:

The Indian pace attack is not as strong as it was the last time India toured in 2018-19- without Ishant Sharma

We do have a strong attack. Yes, we will definitely miss Ishant, being a senior fast bowler, but Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have experience and know how to bowl in these conditions. It’s all about bowling in partnerships and as we all know we did well in 2018. This is a new series, starting with the pink ball. It’s about getting that momentum going. I do feel we have the attack to get 20 wickets, but for us, [what is] more important is starting well and staying in the present.

You have been here for over a month. Do you think this has been best preparation you could ask for?

We came here a month before. As Test players, the quarantine was challenging, but luckily we got practice sessions during that period. Preparation was really good. We got the time to plan ourselves, practice games really helped us. Looking forward to start well this series.

There are a lot of things before the Team management to decide. The topics of debate are the opening and wicket-keepers slot. What is your take?

Everyone is equally good. We have still not decided our combination. We will sit tomorrow and discuss.

What is the difference between the Kookaburra pink ball and the SG pink ball while batting in the twilight period? Could you share your experience?

Yes, it behaves differently during the day and when the lights are on. As a batsman, focus will be the key. As long as you focus and concentrate, communication will be key. Those 40-50 minutes will be key. When the pink ball is new, initially it moves but then it gets easy to bat against later. Twilight period is a challenge for batsmen to focus. The pace changes, it increases slightly during that period. If you can adjust in that period, it becomes easy. With the red ball, the pace change is not so sudden.

While touring Australia, the predominant narrative has been adjusting to pace and bounce of pitches for Indian players. Pitches in Australia are now missing that. Do you think the current generation of Indian players no longer fear that?

What I feel is we play short ball really well. In 2018-19, Adelaide wickets were challenging―Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth wickets―but we adjusted to those wickets really well. As batsmen, we can adapt to any conditions. It’s not all about that. It is also about playing to situation well and it’s all about partnerships. If we can get one or two good partnerships you know your team has done well.

Last time in Australia, you started quickly in terms of scoring, how important is that tempo?

I think when you bat at no. 5 or 6, you have to read the situation and play accordingly. For me, it’s about playing with intent, what team demands from me in that situation. I visualise that and play accordingly. Not just going in there and playing all the shots. A positive mindset, I feel, is really important. For me, intent comes with defence, leaving the ball.

[File] Rahane with captain Virat Kohli | Reuters

You will be captaining the team for bulk of the series. So what is the preparation like for you?

I believe [it is] staying in the moment, in the present. Right now, Virat is our captain, we are thinking about this Test match. When he leaves, we will discuss what our plans are. For me, its all about this Test match and helping Virat out in this match.

The year didn’t start of really well for you. How much have these 8-9 months helped you?

It’s going to happen as a player―you go through ups and downs. Out of 10 Tests, I did well in eight Tests, which is really good. During the lockdown, fitness and diet were priority for me, and I did that. After coming here, it was all about getting used to the conditions, pitches, bounce etc. I worked on that, and I’m getting into match zone.

There is a lot of fresh blood in this Aussie side compared to the team which India beat in 2018-19. How do you assess them?

They are a very good team, a very good side. In Australia playing Australia always a challenge. Yes, they have got a few youngsters in, they know their conditions well. We played against them in practice games. Their team is good and balanced. We have to respect them but play to our strength and potential.

Your impression of Cameron Green. You played against him in Sydney side games.

Yes, he looked really good. Batted really well; that 100 he got against us, he was really determined. He is a complete cricketer, as an all-rounder.

You went with an all out pace attack in side games, but how do you see Ravichandran Ashwin’s role in the side?

Ashwin’s role will be really important. He is an experienced bowler, has got variety in his bowling. His role for us as bowler and batsman will be really important. I am sure he will have a very good series.

Some of the Indian players have been in a bio-bubble for six months now. How challenging is it?

When you are playing for your country you don’t need to tell anything to anyone. Luckily, in Australia, the situation is much better. The first 14 days quarantine was challenging, but it’s okay now. It’s all about thinking of the series than thinking about other things.