Rahane names New Zealand favourites for 1st test; reveals 'good' first innings total

A first innings total in range of 320 on a bouncy Basin Reserve track is what India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is aiming for despite calling New Zealand favourites going into first Test starting here on Friday.

"I think New Zealand are favourites in ir home conditions. But I still feel host country remains favourite because y kw what to bowl and batsman are aware of what shots to play. "As a unit, we need to learn and adapt quickly as New Zealand grounds have different angles," Rahane said on a cautious te on eve of Test match.

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Rahane reflects on Lords' and Adelaide victories

But 2014 win at Lord's or 2018 victory in Adelaide had come with modest first-innings scores of under 300 (295 at Lord's and 250 at Adelaide), a template that can be executed in Wellington also, feels stylish Mumbaikar. 
"When you bat first, your mindset is always positive, t saying that it's t when you bowl first. If you get 320 to 330 outside India in first innings, it's a very good total. "All matches if you see we won (in England and Australia), we got around 320 to 350 runs on board in first innings," said Rahane.

Rahane has full faith in Indian bowling attack

While 320 may t  be a big score but Rahane's confidence stems from fact that India's world-class pace attack, which has shown ability to pick 20 wickets in overseas conditions."We kw that our bowlers can take wickets in any condition but suppose you lose toss and have to bat first, you should kw that you are in right kind of mindset to actually go out re and tackle those situations. 

"Keeping mindset right in seaming conditions even if you lose toss is really important. Same goes to bowlers who should keep ir mindset right on flat wickets. y should actually have belief to take 20 wickets on flat tracks, said veteran of 63 Tests. While he called home team favourites but Rahane and his teammates are enjoying phase where current batch under Virat Kohli is expected to win Test series outside sub-continent following ir historic triumph in Australia last year.

"re is awe about conditions anymore. Every condition is home condition for us.  Irrespective of victory or defeat, expectation is bound to be re.  As a team, we want to enjoy this phase where people feel that we are favourites wherever we go, confident deputy of Kohli said.It is more or less clear that Ravichandran Ashwin will be preferred over Ravindra Jadeja and Rahane reckons that re will be some turn on offer due to moisture underneath surface.

"It might spin a bit because of moisture and dampness of wicket, may be during first session every day. I am t sure about or sessions. "New Zealand tracks generally after two days become good to bat on. Spinners' role will be crucial because both Ashwin and Jadeja are wicket-takers. If any of m gets opportunity, y will do well, expects Rahane.

Basin Reserve brings in happy memories as Rahane hit his first Test hundred here back in 2014."That was a really special moment for me, getting that first hundred. I keep watching my maiden hundred," he fondly recollected."I remember that my back-lift was changing because of wind and that was a challenge to control it. Sometimes you got to play with low back-lift and you have got to change your guard may be and play accordingly. 

"This is a new challenge playing after 4-5 years. That team was comparatively young team."While Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw's relative inexperience is being talked about, Rahane just like his skipper feels that two youngsters will succeed because of ir positive approach. "y both are comparatively young, yes but y both are naturally attacking player. ir attitude is very good in general about cricket. I don't think y would need much of an advice." 

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(Im Courtesy: AP)