Internet Desk: Fresh from the series whitewash against New Zealand in the Tests, India will look to maintain their supremacy in the 50 overs format as well. India will take on the Kiwis in a 5 match One Day series starting at Dharamsala from Sunday.
India’s main stay in the middle order batting, Ajinkya Rahane has promised the Men in Blue will be playing an aggressive brand of cricket against the visitors.
“(We are) looking forward to this ODI series. We have done well in the Test series, having won 3-0. It is important to start fresh here. Momentum will be the key. Winning the first match will be important to gain that momentum. (I am) really excited about the new guys coming into the team. It is really energising. Everyone is looking in good shape. They have done well in India A series and few guys did well in Ranji Trophy too,” Rahane told reporters before joining the team’s practice session at the HPCA stadium on Friday.
The 28-year-old Rahane, who had a memorable Test series with 347 runs including his career-best 188 in the 3rd and final match in Indore, said the team will be focusing on their strengths.
“Discipline will be the key. In Test series our intent was aggressive all the time. Here again (in ODI series) our intent will be to be aggressive. We want to play intense cricket and play to our strengths rather than focusing on their strengths or weaknessess. We will be focusing on our strengths,” he added.
With Shikhar Dhawan not part of the 15-man Indian squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rahane is likely to open with his Mumbai team-mate Rohit Sharma. But when asked about it, Rahane remained non-commital.
“Frankly speaking, I will get to know after this practice session. Really looking forward to this one-day series. We have done well in the Test series, won 3-0, but it’s important to start fresh here. Again I will say, momentum will be the key and winning the first match will be important to gain that momentum. I am really excited about the new guys coming into the team. It’s really energising and everyone is looking in good shape. Guys have done well in the A series while few of them did well in the Ranji Trophy. I am really excited and looking forward to this series,” said a relaxed looking Rahane.
India will look to get the balance of the side straight ahead of ICC Champions Trophy next year at England in June. According to Rahane, “As of now, it’s important to focus on this series. There is still time for the Champions Trophy, still a long way to go. As of now, it’s all about giving new guys confidence and opportunity to do well at the highest level. We are just looking at this series right now. We are going to play one match at a time and obviously win this series.”