For India, I’m Ready to Bat at Any Position: Ajinkya Rahane

The Rajasthan Royals captain is looking forward to picking Steve Smith’s brain with the Aussie back for IPL 2019.

Ajinkya Rahane is still reportedly being seen as India’s number four batsman at the World Cup but the Royals skipper says he is not thinking too much on those lines.

(Photo: AP)

Ajinkya Rahane has had his issues about not getting enough chances in the limited overs format, but he doesn’t want to put too much pressure on himself thinking about the number four spot which is up for grabs in the Indian team.

While it remains highly unlikely that he will be India’s number four at the World Cup, the Indian Test vice-captain is keen to add to his 90 ODIs.

“I have never had complaints about my batting order and have performed anywhere I have batted. For India, I am ready to bat at any position.”

Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane, who is set to continue donning the captain’s hat for Rajasthan Royals at the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, refused to get drawn into the endless debate around the much-deliberated No. 4 position.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on myself by thinking about the number four spot in the Indian team. I understand that batting order depends on lot of things,” he said during a Royals press conference.

The last of Rahane’s 90 ODIs came in February 2018, during India’s tour of South Africa. Stereotyped as an opener in limited overs formats, the 30-year-old has been tested in the middle order amid the months of experimentation in the lead up to the ICC World Cup 2019 in England.

‘Good to Have Smith Back’

Looking at his immediate agenda, though, the Rajasthan Royals skipper is happy to have Steven Smith back in the Royals’ fold, and intends on picking the former Australia captain’s brains during IPL 2019.

“It’s good to have him (Smith) back as a Rajasthan Royals player. He is a quality player and it’s always good to have him in your team. Also to pick his mind will be very important. We all know his ability to win matches.”

Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane was also quizzed about Jos Buttler’s batting position in the team, and while he didn’t give a direct answer, Rahane made it clear that he isn’t keen on tinkering with a set XI – plausibly hinting that the English ‘keeper-batsman might continue at the top of the order, where he enjoyed a stirring run of form for Rajasthan last season.

Rahane also urged the media to not jump the gun on Ashton Turner, who has become a bit of a batting sensation after single-handedly powering Australia to a stunning victory in a 359-run chase in the fourth ODI of the recently-concluded series in India.

“Turner is a good addition to the team but media makes a hero of anyone in a single day but dumps him the next day. He has shown his ability on Indian wickets which shows he can adapt to conditions,” he stated.