Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane sounded optimistic after Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at the Oval in London on Friday (June 9). While replying to a question from former India captain Sourav Ganguly, he said that the team will back themselves to chase whatever target they get from Australia to win the game. However, Rahane scored 89 off 129 in his comeback Test after 18 months as well.
He told Star Sports: “We would like to chase whatever target Australia set for us (chuckles).”
He shared a 110-run partnership with Shardul Thakur for the seventh wicket as Team India scored 296 in response to Australia’s 469. The veteran also praised the bowling unit, as they reduced the Aussies to 123-4 in their second innings by Stumps on Day 3 as well. He now wants the team to do well in the first session of Day 4 and restrict Australia as soon as possible.
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Ajinkya Rahane said: “It’s great that we’ve bowled well, but we have to come and repeat it tomorrow morning again. The first session before lunch will be crucial. If we take early wickets, we can slow them down. We made a good comeback. Australia are still slightly ahead of us, but we’ve seen that if the day and sessions go in your favour, you can make a comeback. The game is still not finished. The biggest challenge is how motivated are you when you are behind. How inspired are you to do well for your team?”
Ajinkya Rahane has backed Team India to win the WTC final this time as well. Notably, they had reached the final last time as well but ost to New Zealand.
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“It’s easy when you dominate the entire Test match and sessions. We knew we were behind, but a good session and partnership can change (the momentum). We’ve seen that we can make a comeback even if we are behind,” he concluded.
