Adaptability & a positive mindset key to India's success in Christchurch, feels Rahane
Christchurch/UNI: After suffering a heavy defeat in the first match in Wellington,India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said it was important for his side to go into the Christchurch Test with an improved mindset.
India were outplayed in all departments in the first Test, as they went down by 10wickets. The downfall began on the first morning itself, as they were undone by the lateral movement, with New Zealand bowlers taking full advantage of the favourableconditions on offer.
Going into the second Test, India are working towards rectifying their mistakes from the first game, while still going into Christchurch with a clear mindset. Rahane acknowledged that adapting to the conditions will be a key to turning their fortunes around and suggested that the pitch at the Hagley Oval is expected to have more carry than the one in Wellington, which might suit the visitors better, an ICC report on Thursday said.
"In New Zealand as a batting unit and as a bowling unit, we've got to adapt to the conditions here. Pitching areas are completely different here than in India or SouthAfrica or Australia," Rahane said.
"The India A guys played here and Hanuma Vihari was telling us this wicket plays much better. There's good pace and bounce on this wicket... we'll have to wait and see. Assess the conditions very quickly on the first day of the game and playaccordingly," he said.
Having gotten bowled out for 165 and 191 in their two innings in the first Test, a lotof the talk has centered around the ability of Indian batsman in challenging conditions.In the bowling department, Ishant Sharma sparkled with 5/68 in New Zealand's first innings, but Mohammed Shami and Jasprit
Bumrah got only one wicket each as New Zealand piled on 348. Rahane however, backed the experienced duo to come good.
"I thought they bowled pretty well," he said. "Ishant obviously bowled well. But Shami and Bumrah, they've been bowling so well... it's just one game odd where they didn't get wickets. They are both quality bowlers."
Rahane feels it is important for India to retain a positive mindset going into the second Test and he feels the lure of ICC World Test Championship points will help them stay inthe present."It's important to trust yourself, not think too much about the first Test," he said. "It's all about going in with a fresh mindset, we all know that 60 points are at stake. If we win this
Test match, we know we'll improve our lead, so it's all about trusting our ability and having
(Image: facebook.com/ajinkyarahaneofficial)
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