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Rahane says ‘ruthless’ India will not take Afghans lightly
BANGALORE, India, June 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Top-ranked India will be
“ruthless” and not take Afghanistan lightly when they make their Test debut
in Bangalore, skipper Ajinkya Rahane said Wednesday.
It will be a historic moment for Asghar Stanikzai’s team when they step
out on Thursday for their maiden five-day outing against the world’s number
one Test side.
But Rahane, who is standing in as captain for Virat Kohli, said there was
no room for complacency in cricket.
“We are not ging to take Afghanistan lightly. They have a decent team…
bowlers (are good),” he told reporters on the eve of the one-off Test.
“As a Test team we cannot take anyone for granted because cricket is a
funny game. We want to go out there and be ruthless.
“We are going to focus on our strengths, our positives. We are not
thinking about Afghanistan as well: yes, we respect them as our opponent but
it’s important for us to go out there and give more than our 100 per cent,”
said the top-order batsman.
The strife-torn nation secured Test status last year along with Ireland,
who lost their debut match to Pakistan in Dublin last month.
Since gaining ODI status in 2009 the Afghans have made giant strides and
qualified for their second 50-over World Cup in England and Wales next year.
They have also been part of four Twenty20 World Cups.
Rahane said it would be an “honour” for every Indian player to be part of
the match and acknowledged Afghanistan’s big moment on the cricket field.
Stanikzai has insisted that his team’s spin department led by teen
sensation Rashid Khan is better than India’s.
Khan, the top T20 bowler in ICC rankings, took the Indian Premier League
by storm with his 21 wickets for runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad, and mystery
spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman also impressed in the cash-rich tournament.
Rahane refused to draw comparisons between the spin attacks of the two
teams, but praised the experience of India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra
Jadeja as well as the talent of Kuldeep Yadav.
“Every member of their team believes that their side is good, that their
bowling attack or their batting unit is much better,” Rahane said.
“We all know the stats but we don’t focus on them. Our spinners, Ashwin,
Jadeja and Kuldeep are experienced and quality spinners.”
Rahane, who captained Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, said it was important
now for his team’s players to switch mentally from T20 mode to playing in the
longest format.
“A couple of practice session were fantastic after coming back from the
IPL,” he said.
“It’s important we play our minds rather than skills, because getting back
to Test from T20 cricket is all about tuning your mind rather than focusing
on your skills.”
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1553 hrs