Four centuries in his career, all four overseas and each of them in a different Test playing nation. Ajinkya Rahane seems like India’s Man Friday.
When it had trouble plugging the hole at No. 3, it turned to him; when it had a paucity of slip fielders, it turned to him; and who knows if K.L. Rahul had not been in the team, he might have even been asked to keep wickets in Wriddhiman Saha’s absence.
“I fit in everywhere,” he said laughingly. “So my aim is play wherever the team feels it right. I like to stay in the present. This is my first game at No.3. Every Test hundred is special but first time coming at number three and getting a hundred for your country will remain very special.
“There is no big technical change that is required between batting at No. 3 and No. 5. But mental adjustment is really important.
“This hundred will give me a great confidence because conditions were pretty challenging. It was hot out there and it was difficult to focus,” he added.
In a departure from the previous match, when caution seemed to be the watchword, Rahane said that this time “they wanted to dominate the Lankan bowling.
“I think the partnership between M. Vijay and I gave us that momentum. Virat [Kohli] and Rohit [Sharma] came in and took their time. I feel that intent has to be there, results will follow automatically.”
Asked about the strategy for the final day, Rahane said that patience was the key. “Wicket is getting slower and slower. There will be good partnerships but one good session can win us this Test match,” he said.
On his part, Sri Lankan fast bowler Dhammika Prasad said that batting positively was their only option.
“We do well when we bat positively. If we do that, then we’ll get the chance to win or draw.”
