India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane finds it "hard" to see Rohit Sharma sitting out as he seeks to revive his career in tritional format in role of an opener. Rahane was back in form during West Indies series and along with Hanuma Vihari, has cemented two available slots in middle-order, prompting team manment to try out Rohit as an opener in upcoming South Africa Tests.

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Rahane on Rohit's Test comeback

Rahane was asked to give his opinion on Rohit's new role and right-hander didn't give a direct reply."You want an answer actually? I don't kw yet wher Rohit will open innings. If he does, I will be happy for him. I said in West Indies also, it is hard to see a special talent like Rohit sitting out," Rahane said during a 'Meet and Greet' event organised by his employers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Rohit has three hundreds in 27 Tests and an aver of a she under 40. Many believe that Rohit's audacious strokeplay has brought about his downfall, but Rahane thinks orwise.

"He has worked so hard and if he gets an opportunity, I am sure, he will do well," Rahane exuded confidence.

"We all kw quality he has -- special talent. Test cricket is all about mindset and ODI cricket, you can just go out re and back yourself. In Test cricket, sometimes if two bowlers are bowling good spells, you need to respect that and come out strong and play your game after that," he said. For 31-year-old, one of bigger challenges is to get more matches when someone is just playing one international format, which is Test cricket in his case." only challenge you have is getting match practice. Sometimes, match practice is really important and facing quality bowlers is important. At highest level, you face quality bowlers all time. All of m are equally good. You don't get loose balls easily.

"You need to practice really hard. Your practice sessions should be really hard so that when you step in to play a match, it gets easy for you. Preparation and process is key. "You need to believe yourself and come out strongly. If I can keep my mind at present -- that is Test cricket -- or things will fall automatically," said senior batsman, who has played 58 Tests and 90 ODIs. Having last played an ODI 18 months ago, Rahane wants to have ar shot at 50-over format."Apart from Tests, I really enjoy playing ODI cricket as well. I want to come back to ODIs. Right w, focus is completely on this series. After Australia series, re was a long break. When I got to kw that I was t part of World Cup squ, my plan was to play county cricket and luckily Hampshire people called me and asked about county cricket."

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Rahane's county stint

Time at English county Hampshire was well spent, said Rahane."I thought I can actually use my time really well and learn about cricket and life. It's a completely different experience when you play county cricket. Here, we get things so easily. In county cricket, you need to do everything on your own," recalled Rahane. County cricket provided him with a lot of soul searching and he fell in love with sport all over again."Apart from cricket, small things helped me a lot. I used to walk alone after practice session and think what was my thinking when I started playing cricket. answer was that I enjoyed cricket rar than focusing on outcome. When you think about focus and outcome, you put yourself under pressure."In county cricket, those two months, I learned a lot. I played seven matches and focus was actually on red ball because I knew we would play Dukes ball in West Indies. Trusting your ability was key."While India will be favourites against South Africa, Rahane said that likes of Kagiso Raba and Keshav Maharaj need to be respected."Raba is a quality bowler. He is a wicket-taker. It doesn't matter how wicket will be. We have to respect him and or bowlers. y have got a relatively young team, but ir bowling attack -- fast bowlers and spinners are experienced. Keshav Maharaj has played county cricket and did well in red ball. You need to respect m," he signed off. 

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