Kolkata, Nov 14 (PTI) India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahanetoday said their 9-0 clean sweep in Sri Lanka will have nobearing in the return series and they remain focussed onmaintaining the No. 1 spot in Tests.
India swept Sri Lanka across all formats in a full seriesin the island nation. Now India are hosting a return seriescomprising three Tests and equal number of ODIs and T20Is.
"This series is completely different compared to what weplayed in Sri Lanka. We are not taking Sri Lanka lightly evenas we had a good series there," Rahane told a news conferenceon the sidelines of their training at the Eden.
"Right now if we want to remain as number one in Tests.
Every series is very important. We want to win each and everyseries. We know the conditions here."The low-profile Sri Lanka series is seen as a prelude totheir gruelling two months' tour to South Africa against whomthey will play three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is inJanuary-February next year.
"For us each and every match and series is importantbefore going to South Africa. We will think of South Africawhen we go there. Right now we are focusing on this series.
South Africa will be completely different.
"Even for Sri Lanka this is a very important series andthey are preparing really well. We don't want to take themlightly. We are just focusing on this series right now and thefirst game in Kolkata. We respect Sri Lanka and we just wantto play our game, focus on our strengths rather than thinkingabout their combination or their strategies," he said.
Since their third and last Test in Sri Lanka from August12-14, India have been playing back to back limited oversmatches, which included series against Australia and NewZealand at home.
"Everyone knows how to adapt and adjust to all theformats. I don't think we will have any problem. All theplayers are professionals. I don't think will have problem inadjustment. The first Test here is important to get themomentum."Rahane was seen playing a lot of sweep shots yesterdayincluding the unorthodox reverse sweep against the spinners.
"It's important to improve your game everyday and evolvewhen you are practising at the nets. I just want to improve. Ithink if I improve one shot in the nets, I will be better offin the game. If an opportunity comes in the game, I'm 100 percent confident of playing a particular shot. So, practisingsweep, reverse sweep and paddle sweep just as options.
"I'm comfortable playing those shots. For me it'simportant to give 100 per cent at the nets. I want to do thatfive-six times at the nets and if I'm comfortable andconfident I will play that shot in the game," said Rahane.
Rahane got out for 49 and 45 in his last two Ranjimatches against Odisha and Baroda respectively, but he was"not too concerned" about that.
"I'm batting really well. I have four 50s in a row," hesaid referring to his knocks against Australia in the ODIseries in September-October.
"Yes I got out on 45 and 49 in Ranji Trophy but for me itwas important to play as many balls as possible and get thepractice for this Test series. Four fifties also matter a lotfor the team. In the last (Ranji) game for us in Mumbai at onepoint it was crucial. I just wanted to play as many balls aspossible without being worried about the scores."All-rounder Hardik Pandya has been rested for the Testseries and Rahane said it was important to manage theworkload.
"Apart from training it's very important to recover. Wefocus on our training as well as recovery sessions, massage,ice bath, pool sessions. The team management taking care ofall these aspects. In future they will play many matches sorecovery is very important."Asked if Eden wicket will be a green top, he said: "Let'swait for the match to start. We still have two days to go. Wehave to wait. I've not seen the wicket." PTI TAP CMCM.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.