Exclusive: Rahane to play against England Lions, in a bid to prepare well for test series

Ajinkya Rahane will play for India A against England Lions in July. Image Source: Xtra Time

Debasis Sen, Bengaluru: Indian middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane is all set to play for India A against England Lions in a four day fixture from July 16-19 at Worcester. Rahane, who is presently captaining the Indian test team against Afghanistan here, will fly to England on July 10 to take part in the match in a bid to prepare him well for the test series starting on August 01. Rahane is not a part of the squad that will take part in the T20I’s and ODI series against England.

The Mumbai batsman will play an important role in the Indian batting line up. He scored a brilliant hundred at Lords, that paved the way for a emphatic win for India during the last series in England in 2014. Ajinkya also played a crucial role in the win against South Africa at Wanderers.

Since, it will be rainy season in Mumbai during July, Rahane had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow him to travel to England and take part in a four day fixture. Another important reason may be he will have none other than Rahul Dravid to guide him in his technique ahead of the long test series against England.

The India A team is now in England to play a series against England Lions. Rahul Dravid’s India A team will face an ECB XI in the first match of their England tour at Emerald Headingley on Sunday.

The Indians, who arrived in London at the weekend will practise at the Ageas Bowl this week. They had been due to play Yorkshire in a 50-over match, one of two county fixtures before a Tri-Series against England Lions and West Indies A which starts in Derby on Friday week (June 22).