Birmingham: India’s attack will have to show patience to take 20 wickets and in the fickle English weather, it could be a virtue for the batsmen as well, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said on Monday. The five-Test series starts with the first match in Birmingham on Wednesday.
India had an intense practice session at Edgbaston after their extra practice session on Sunday was washed out owing to heavy rains. Rahane said that they have had ample practice and the rest will come down to mindset.
“In England, patience is the key. It depends on the weather — if it’s sunny it’s good to bat, but if it gets cloudy then definitely it’s good for the bowlers. As a batting unit, I feel that challenging yourself and backing your own game rather than copying someone else is important.
“If you’re set, try to play a big innings. If the weather changes, it’s important for the batsman to hold back, respect the bowler and respect the conditions. If you’re set here, you should really make it count,” he said.
“There is always help for bowlers in England, but that doesn’t mean it is easier for the bowlers. They need to be patient and bowl in the good areas. They have to back their own skills instead of trying to take wickets from both ends,” Rahane said.
“If one bowler can play the support role well then it will lead to wickets. To bowl patiently and on spot is crucial to success.
“It is a great opportunity for the bowlers to prove that we can take 20 wickets in a Test match consistently, like we had done in South Africa. Nobody expected us to take 20 wickets in all three Test matches. At the same time they should not put extra pressure on themselves and they should just look to enjoy the moment. They need to back themselves and believe that our bowling unit is the best in the world.”
As far as his team’s bowling attack was concerned, Rahane was brimming with optimism, despite the absence of strike bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
“Our pace bowlers are very experienced. Mohammed Shami and Umesh were here in 2014 as well. They've been doing so well for us, not only in India but outside as well. In South Africa, we got all 60 wickets (during the Tests) and our fast bowlers bowled really well.
“It is a challenge to bowl in England but I am really confident about them — not only Umesh and Shami but also Ishant, who came here and played some county games.”
