The Indian deputy skipper, Ajinkya Rahane has denied chances of India playing any mind games when they take on the hosts in the third Test match at Headingly. In the second Test at Lord’s, things got heated up between two sides with India having the last laugh with a huge win by 51 runs. He also confirmed that the fast bowling all-rounder, Shardul Thakur is now fit to play the third Test in Leeds. 

Describing the same, Ajinkya Rahane said, “We are not thinking anything like that (getting under England’s skin). For us, what’s important is to play good cricket, staying at the moment, and play one game at a time. When you are playing in the UK, your line and lengths are very important and that’s a challenge as a bowling unit. 2014 when we came here, we were a young unit, the guys were still learning. Now we are experienced.”

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When asked about the Indian low-order batting affecting rival team’s openers, Ajinkay Rahane replied that usually, openers do think about their batting when 7-8 wickets fall.

Ajinkya Rahane elaborated, “This tail partnership mentally exhausts the batsmen. That was a good sign for us in last matches. Credit to them. They themselves want to bat after bowling, it feels good to know they want to contribute with the bat as well.”

Rahane confirmed that Shardul Thakur is fit and available for selection but India is yet to finalize their combination for the 3rd Test against England at Headingley in Leeds. Shardul missed the second Test after suffering a hamstring injury just before the game.

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Ajinkya Rahane explained, “Shardul Thakur is fit and available for selection for the 3rd Test. Now, we have to look at which combination we are going with. All the fast bowlers are ready to play and they want to play as the break after the 2nd Test helped. We are not thinking too much about the conditions and whatever Headingley has to offer. We just want to give our best, all players are in a good headspace and it is about putting our best foot forward.”