XtraTime Web Desk: India’s middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane got his form back after scoring a half century to put India top against Australia on the fourth day of the Adelaide Test on Sunday.
Rahane hit some glorious shots and played a crucial role in India extending their lead after Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli guided the visitors to a 166-run lead at stumps on the previous day. This was Rahane’s 16th fifty in the longest format, third in Australia and fourth of 2018.
But the job will be easier said than done with Shaun Marsh (31*) and Travis Head (11*) still at the crease. India though, believes that they can knock over the rest of the Aussie batsmen in three sessions if they just stick to the line and lengths that they bowled on Sunday.
“We bowled really well and in great areas but still a long way to go tomorrow. We’ll have to come hard at Australia and I think we need to keep the same patience and the same line and lengths,” Rahane said after the day’s play.
Talking about his own knock, the Indian vice-captain said that he is constantly trying to improve his batting and always makes sure to learn from his mistakes with each passing Test match.
“Feels really nice when you contribute for the team. As a batsman you have to learn from your mistakes each and every time and keep improving as a batsman,” the 30-year-old said.
Rahane, who is the only Indian batsman in the current team to average more away from home, is often compared with the legendary Rahul Dravid. Rahane considers the former India captain as his idol and was even seen playing with the bat signed by Dravid on the fourth day.
“He is my role model and when we went to play with India A in New Zealand I just took his autograph. I follow him as a cricketer and also as a person,” Rahane revealed.