‘It's completely mental (adjustment). The good thing in this team is anyone can bat at anywhere. We have that flexibility. I have batted at top, numbers 3,4 and 5. It's important to handle that situation and utilise that situation. If you adjust in mind, you can adapt anywhere’
‘He did not say anything about my technique but spoke only on the mental aspect’
Ajinkya Rahane has adjusted to his role as a stop-gap opener in One-dayers and does not want to dwell too much on his future in the format once first-choice opener Shikhar Dhawan returns to the fold.
After being adjudged 'Man of the Series' in the West Indies, Rahane was given just one game against Sri Lanka when Shikhar Dhawan left to attend his ailing mother.
In the ongoing series, again, Dhawan could not be with the team due to his wife's surgery in London and Rahane has been handed the responsibility of opening the innings.
"I don't think about the future. I do my best whenever I get my opportunities. That's what matters. I always think about staying in the present. When Shikhar comes back, we all don't know what's going to happen. For me, important thing is to give my all for the team," Rahane said before India's practice session on the eve of third ODI against Australia in Indore.
"So the best thing for me is to stick to my game plan and if I get opportunities, try to do my best for team. Every time you can't think about hundreds, even if you get crucial 45-50, or 70 runs for your team, that is what matters. I always want to do that," Rahane said.
Rahane also said that adjusting to a new position in the batting order is completely a "mental" aspect and it's not an issue with the Indian team.
The 28-year-old has had problems trying to force the pace of the game in the middle overs when batting in the middle order.
He is shuffled in the batting order in different formats – he bats in the middle order in the Test and opens in ODIs.
Out of 81 ODIs so far, he has played 51 as opener.
"It's completely mental (adjustment). The good thing in this team is anyone can bat at anywhere. We have that flexibility. I have batted at top, numbers 3,4 and 5. It's important to handle that situation and utilise that situation. If you adjust in mind, you can adapt anywhere."
India spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have been the centre of attention in this series after their exploits in the first two matches.
And what makes them special, according to Rahane is their ability to choke the Australian batsmen for runs as well as taking wickets with regulairity.
"It's a good sign that they (Australians) are not able to pick them. They both are quality spinners, did well in domestic circuit. They are actually improving day by day. In ODI cricket, if you are taking wickets in middle overs and not giving runs at the same time, it's good to have them. They are not taking things for granted and that's a good sign."
Rahane also dismissed criticism that Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav have not done well in this series.
"They have just played 2 games. They did well in Sri Lanka. The team management is backing them. It's important to give confidence to your players. As a professional, you score sometimes, you fail sometimes."
For any cricketer, an interaction with Sachin Tendulkar on batting is priceless and the same goes for Ajinkya Rahane when when the maestro dropped in during one of his net sessions in Mumbai recently.
Rahane is not a regular in the Indian limited overs set-up and there was some conversation with Tendulkar about how to improve his game.
Rahane had posted a picture on his Twitter page with Tendulkar talking to him at the Bandra Kurla Complex indoor nets.
"For four days, I did nets at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC in Mumbai). When I met him (Tendulkar), he said, ‘back your game. You will get opportunities sometimes and sometimes you won't. What's in your hands is your preparation. You should have right mindset’.
“He did not say anything about my technique but spoke only on the mental aspect."
Tendulkar, who has enjoyed a lot of success against Australia, spoke about the length that their bowlers bowl at.
"He has played a lot against Australia and he mentioned what line and length they bowl. How to prepare for that. I have got confidence after talking to him," Rahane said.
