Page 50 - The Indian EYE 021221

SPORTS February 12, 2021 | The Indian Eye 50

India's Skipper Virat Kholi and Ajinkya Rahane during the First test match Cheteshwar Pujara's slow batting has been questioned by
between India and England at MA Chidambaram Stadium (BCCI/ANI Photo) some experts (BCCI/ANI Photo)

Ajinkya Rahane is sure that serted that it was the right move
pitch will offer turn right from under the circumstances.
day one of the second Test. “With the amount of inter-
Rahane on Friday said the national cricket and Test crick-
team will have to wait and watch et, in particular, this year didn’t
how the pitch behaves in the first feel like it was the right time (to
session. The right-handed bats- enter the IPL auction). I didn’t
man wants to forget the loss in the feel like I could throw in all my
first Test start afresh when India energy into it, which it deserves.
take on England on Saturday. And, I don’t think it would set
“[The pitch] Looks com- me up and set English cricket up
pletely different, I am sure it will best with what’s to come. Very
turn from day one. We will have difficult decision. Hopefully,
to wait and see how it behaves next year, there’s more of an op-
in the first session and take it portunity to potentially be part
from there. We have to forget of the IPL or at least be in the
what happened in the first Test auction,” he added.
and focus on this and play good When asked about what im-
cricket,” said Rahane during the pact it will have to play in front
virtual press conference. of the crowds for the first time
“And we know these condi- since the pandemic Root said, “I
tions really well. We have to put think it will massively (impact).
our best foot forward tomorrow Having an atmosphere within
and play as a team. I thought the stadium is a massive part of
our spinners bowled well in international cricket what makes
the 1st Test. If you see the sec- it special in many ways is that the
ond innings, especially Ashwin interaction between fans and
bowled really well, there is not players. Obviously, when you
much concern over their perfor- England's Joe Root, who made a double century in the First test match, come to India we all how pas-
mance,” he added. wants to join the IPL bandwagon (ECB/ANI Photo) sionate Indians are about cricket
Rahane played some crucial and it is a big part of life in many
knocks during the Australia tour If you look at my last 10-15 Tests, “At some point of my career, ways here. We are very much ex-
but his recent outing with the you will find some runs there,” I am desperate to be a part of cited about that and we are look-
bat has raised eyebrows about said Rahane. an IPL season. Hopefully, a few ing forward for that.”
his form. The right-handed bats- On the other hand, ahead more beyond that as well. It is Root also announced En-
man scored one run in the first of the second Test against In- something I would love to expe- gland’s final XII for the second
innings against England and was dia, England skipper Joe Root rience, and love to be a part of,” Test: Dom Sibley, Rory Burns,
not able to get off the mark in on Friday said he is desperate Root said in a virtual press con- Dan Lawrence, Joe Root(C),
the second essay. to be part of the Indian Premier ference. Terming the decision Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben
“We are playing at home af- League (IPL) and explained not to put his name in the auc- Woakes, Moeen Ali, Stuart
ter two years. It’s all about the why he did not register for the tion for the upcoming IPL sea- Broad, Chris Woakes, Jack
team, not about any individual. 2021 edition of the tournament. son as a difficult one, Root as- Leach, Olly Stone.

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