XtraTime Web Desk: Indian test cricket team’s vice captain Ajinkya Rahane who scored a classy century in pressure situation during the first Test against West Indies, said he made an all-around effort to ignore all the criticism that came to him for not getting any hundred in the last couple of years time.
Coming into the Test series, Rahane’s form was a subject of widespread debate but he silenced his critics with scores of 81 and 102 in India’s 318-run win over the West Indies here on Sunday.
“I try not to get affected by criticism as it is unwanted and I can’t control it. You are always happy when you make a hundred,” Rahane told fellow Mumbaikar Rohit Sharma in a chat aired on ‘bcci.tv’.
“It was satisfying as I had to grind a lot. Needed to put the team in a good position before getting to the hundred,” he added.
Despite the dip in his performance, the Indian team management persisted with Rahane and it paid off.
Skipper Virat Kohli has also backed him to do well for the team and persistently defended the batsman’s credentials in the face of questions over his form.
The second and final Test between the two sides begins in Jamaica on Friday. The series is part of the inaugural World Test Championships, in which India are currently on top in the points table.