Indian cricketer and the Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has accepted their mistakes and calls for to move on from it by learning the mistakes.

Indian cricket team has continued their disaster batting performance in the ongoing English tour as they were bundled out for just 107 runs in the first innings of the ongoing second Test at Lord’s. Previously in the first Test of this series at Edgbaston (Birmingham), India was bundled out for just 274 and 162 runs where Indian skipper Virat Kohli scored maximum runs.

Talking about their disaster batting performances, Rahane said at the press conference after the end of the day 2 of the Lord’s Test, “You have to accept your mistake. Acceptance is the key, I think, when you play in England. It’s not about getting caught behind, even run out, but you have got to accept your mistake and move on. The quicker we learn from our mistakes, the better for us. I am sure everyone will learn from this innings and there is a long way to go in this match as well as the series.”

Talking about improving the batting technique, Rahane has called to learn from the English batsmen how they play in this condition.

Rahane said, “May be we will need to learn from their batting unit how to bat in such conditions, which shots are important, which shots you can play, etc. Many times in England you cannot only stay defensive. You need to understand which shots you can play — may be the cut shot or the late cut. So the earlier you learn all that the better it would be for you.”

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In the ongoing Lord’s Test, while India was bundled out for just 107 in the first innings, Rahane scored just 18 runs after facing 44 balls. The right-handed batsman was one of James Anderson’s five wickets in that innings. Rahane remarks that it was the toughest condition to bat.

He said, “I don’t think you can get any more challenging conditions than this (in Test cricket) especially with Duke ball in these weather conditions. But as a batsman you have to back your ability. It is all about intent out there, of not only scoring runs but also leaving the ball and defending well. As a batsman it is always a challenge to come here and play against this kind of attack.”

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English experienced pacer James Anderson bowled impressive in his favourite condition as he had a bowling figure of 13.2-5-20-5. Rahane praised him for his brilliant accuracy bowling performance.

Rahane said on Anderson, “These were definitely challenging conditions. Anderson did not bowl a short ball. He was just bowling at same spot — four or five metre length — and that is really crucial on this wicket. If you are bowling that length, you got to bowl consistently, then as a batsman you have to leave the ball or back your methods consistently. It is all about patience on these conditions and trusting your methods and backing your ability.”

Rahane further added for the English bowlers, “They used the conditions really well. I thought the wicket, because of the weather we cannot control. First half, when the game was on and off, it was difficult for batting team to switch on and off. But when you play at the highest level, no excuses. I would like to give credit to English bowling team — Anderson, Stuart Broad and others — they bowled really well as a unit.”

The best talking point in that Indian innings was Cheteshwar Pujara’s unlucky run-out. A poor mix-up with the captain Virat Kohli cost an important wicket while Pujara was looking good on the tough batting pitch.

Rahane said about that dismissal, “It definitely hurts as a teammates, and I am sure even Pujara will be upset about his run out. The run out definitely hurt us and the weather after that too. I think we did not get to play for 3-4 hours, so definitely as a team you feel really bad.”

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However, Rahane still believes that the match is still on for them as the Indian bowlers have the abilities to fight back in this condition.

Optimistic Rahane said, “You cannot be too harsh on yourself as an individual and team when you get conditions like this. You have to back yourself as a player and team. I felt we were right there skill wise. There is still a long way to go in this match. We have to bowl well, and our bowling unit is doing well. If weather permits, I am sure our bowlers will bowl in the right areas well. Cricket is a funny game, we still have to back ourselves and get positive mind set back.

“It is important that you back yourself in English conditions and trust your methods. I think still you need luck in these conditions. But there are no complaints at all, we have to bowl and field well.”