With all eyes on the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) during the upcoming Test rubber against England, Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Monday said the team’s primary focus is to play aggressive cricket rather than banking on the technology.
“It’s a completely new concept. We have to wait and see about DRS. We have been discussing about this from the last series against New Zealand and we have some plans,” Rahane told reporters ahead of the opening game starting on Wednesday.
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“But the main focus is to play good, attacking cricket and DRS will come later on. We want to dominate the series. We have been playing some very good cricket over the last one and a half years.”
Rahane further emphasised on the importance of maintaining consistency and continue with the momentum.
“It’s important for us to be consistent. Yes our aim will be to dominate all their bowlers and the more we do it the better. It’s (also) important to start well in Rajkot and continue the momentum,” he said.
“We are looking to play some good cricket. Right now we are focussed on building our strength and playing to our strengths,” he added.
After citing lack of accuracy and objecting to its usage in the past many years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finally agreed to use the DRS on a trial basis for the upcoming five-match series against the English team.
The 28-year-old also focussed on the importance of staying fresh in a long five-match series, which he felt also gave an opportunity to bounce back once a team finds itself on the backfoot.
“In a five-match series it’s important to be fresh till the last Test. We played a five match series in England in 2014 and got an idea about how to approach. That was a great learning experience as a young unit.”
“It was important to remain fresh till the fifth match. You get an opportunity to come back while playing a five-match series,” he explained.
Rahane also warned his side against any sort of complacency while facing the new-look England attack, specially against the slower bowlers.
“Playing against England will be a challenge. They have a decent side; their bating line-up is pretty experienced. Their batsmen have been here. Yes their spinners are new. Their bowling attack is comparatively inexperienced, especially the spinners,” he said.
“But I always believe you have to give respect to all opponents whether their bowling attack is new or experienced. For us it’s important to focus on our strengths and we will be playing to our strengths and potential. I am sure it will be a good series,” he added.
IANS
