Ajinkya Rahane: We have to counter breeze factor during Tests in New Zealand

Ajinkya Rahane doesn't fuss over technical issues but India's Test vice-captain feels that breeze in Wellington and Christchurch needs to be factored in during team's upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand next month. India will be playing two Tests in Wellington (February 21-25) and Christchurch (February 29-March 4) after five T20 Internationals and three ODIs. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Rahane spoke on a host of issues with regards to upcoming tour where current team has a good chance of emulating class of 2009 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy.

READ | KL Rahul & Yuzvendra Chahal Over Moon As Hardik Pandya Makes It Official With Natasa

'We have to counter breeze factor'

"We played re in 2014...re is a breeze factor that is involved. I guess getting used to conditions will be key as re will be more sideways movement because of breeze," Rahane said when asked about challenges.

"In last tour, I played in Wellington but Christchurch, we will be playing a Test match after long time. Getting used to conditions will be key," he added.

Rahane, who has been doing his homework for tour, singled out left-arm fast bowler Neil Wagner as bowler to watch out for after his recent exploits against Australia and prior to that, England. "Wagner did well in recent series (27 wickets from last 4 Tests). You can't take just one name. As a batting unit, you've got to respect every bowler. As a home team, y have an advant kwing conditions well but at same time, we need to play our natural game also," said 31-year-old, who has scored 4112 runs in 63 Test matches. With Trent Boult and Wagner looking to bring ball back into right-handers, Rahane feels that standing outside crease to counter swing could be way to deal with m but n, to each his own. 

"re are different ways to counter different kind of bowling. Everyone has a different method. Few players love standing outside crease (to negate swing) and some stand deep inside crease.

"Some take middle-stump guard, few take leg-stump guard. Individual players should stick to ir own strengths."

READ |  Smoke Could Affect Play In 3rd Test At Sydney Cricket Ground

In New Zealand, playing as close as possible to body will be very important, opined Rahane. "You have to focus on basics as you can't think too much about your technique. It's about keeping your game simple, playing close to body, as late as possible and according to situation. Pace and bounce will be different." Rahane will be playing for India A in second four-day 'Test' against New Zealand A to prepare for big series. "I think it's a good idea to have shadow tours with India A. So, before playing Test matches, if India A matches are re, it's good preparation for us. It helps in acclimatisation.  "Getting over jet lag due to a long flight will be key. Preparation doesn't start from practising skills but it starts from travel day. Getting over jet lag, getting accustomed to wear, all small things matter. So 'A' tour helps in preparation."

READ | Sakshi Singh Dhoni Checks Into 2020 With Her 'man' Captain Cool

He feels that new BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and India A coach Rahul Dravid will take Indian cricket to unprecedented heights. "Dada and Rahul bhai (as NCA head) coming toger will create a roadmap that will surely take Indian cricket to places." In 2014, it was a young team that toured New Zealand and lost Test series 0-1 but a lot has changed since n. 

"That time, it was a young unit touring New Zealand for first time. We learnt a lot from that series and from re, our journey started to become .1 team in world. At that time, we were probably 6 or 7 in Test rankings.  "From re, we decided that as a team, we've to work really hard on our fitness because in any case we worked hard on skills. w result is re to see. From n to w, it has been a great journey."

transformation, according to Rahane, started after losing Test series in England in 2014.  "It started from England series in 2014. We lost Test series and n we went to Australia. But it started after England series. We all sat toger and decided and what is re to be done as a team. What can we do to take Indian cricket forward and set a benchmark for future generations." Skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri have also created a genial dressing room environment which has been of great help, said Rahane. "We are fun-loving people but we kw when to talk about cricket and be serious. But sometimes it's better to have fun because switching off also helps at highest level. We all sit toger, have fun, pull each or's legs, create a lively atmosphere," he said. 

READ | Coach Justin Langer Backs Tim Paine To Lead Side Until World Test C'ship Finals In 2021