Australia still favourites against IND: Rahane

Former cricketers and analysts have been underlying the fact that the upcoming series against Australia is a massive chance for India to win a Test series in Australia but Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane feels that the home team is the favorites for this four-match Test series.

Australia are not vulnerable: Rahane

The Indian batsman was speaking with the media ahead of the first Test which starts from December 06th at Adelaide.

He feels that any team that plays at home is really good and Australia are still favorites to win the series. He admitted that they will miss Smith and Warner but he doesn’t think they are vulnerable.

Rahane asked people to look at Australia’s bowling attack. He noted that they have really good bowlers and he believes when you have to win Test matches and Test series you have to have a good bowling attack.

Rahane feels Khawaja and Finch dangerous 

Rahane noted that definitely Smith and Warner are quality players, and he will not take anything away from them. But he made it clear that on a given day anyone can score runs.

He thinks Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch are equally dangerous in their conditions as they know how the wicket behaves and it is all about intent as batsmen.

Important to start well and start fresh – #TeamIndia vice-captain @ajinkyarahane88 ahead of the 1st Test against Australia#AUSviND pic.twitter.com/B57jgJBumP

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 4, 2018

At no.5 you need intent and positive mindset: Rahane 

At the same time, the Indian batsman elaborated on his batting role. He said that when you bat at number four or five, it is important to give yourself some time, first 15-20 minutes, and you should visualize the situation from the dressing room. He feels that you cannot just sit around in the dressing room and keep thinking.

Also read: AUS batsman injured during practice session

Then, according to Rahane when you bat with lower-order batsmen, you perhaps know whether to attack or play a defensive game and have a partnership with those guys.

He further explained that Kookaburra ball, after 30-35 overs, is relatively easy to bat against. When you bat in England against Duke’s ball, you know you are never set in those conditions.

So he feels you have to go with a positive mindset whether you have a regular number six batsman or no and you have to have that intent.