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Ajinkya Rahane on Sunday said that the new players who have joined the ODI squad, have brought in fresh energy and helped in turning around India’s fortunes in the ongoing one-day series against England.
After their shambolic show in the five-Test series which they lost 1-3, India are leading the five-match ODI series 2-0 after the first game was washed out due to rain.
“The new boys who have joined the team, have brought in a lot of fresh energy. Also, talking about the fielding, we are a very good fielding side. Yes we didn’t do well in the Tests but that doesn’t make us a bad fielding unit. We have made a conscious effort to be energetic on the field and back each other,” said Rahane.
“We were really hurt after what happened in the Test series but we knew that we have to move on. We helped each other in getting over the hurt and to channel our focus on the ODI series. When we won the second ODI, we prepared for this ODI from the scratch,” he told BCCI’s official website.
Rahane, who had to open the innings in the third ODI here in place of an injured Rohit Sharma, said he enjoyed his new role.
“I was really excited and enjoyed opening again. I knew I was batting well and I know the conditions well by now. I went in with a very positive mindset. I knew the ball swings a bit initially but I decided that I wouldn’t go into my shell. My first priority will be to score runs. I was determined to play my shots,” he said.
Rahane used to bat in the top-three before he was converted into a middle-order batsman for India. He was called upon to revisit the opening slot in the third ODI against England and the Mumbaikar responded with a 56-ball 45, which was laced with attractiveness and aggression in equal measure.
“When you’ve been batting at four and suddenly open for a match, it does require a lot of change in the mindset. To face the new ball, you need to go in with a different attitude as you would when you walk in to bat in the middle overs.
However, it wasn’t that difficult for me because I am familiar with the opening slot,” he said.
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