Team India look well set to take West Indies head on in the first Test at Antigua on July 21. Indian middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane said the slow tracks in West Indies puts more responsibility on Indian batsmen to score runs and give enough time for the bowlers to take 20 wickets. “It is not easy to take 20 wickets on these pitches, especially on the slower tracks. As a batting unit, we will have to take responsibility and I think one or two batsmen will have to get set and score big here,” Rahane said.
Ajinkya Rahane also said the batsmen need to settle down first in these conditions before playing their shots. “You cut out certain shots because technically I don’t think we will have to change anything really. But we will have to cut out some shots initially, in the first or second session, and after that when you get used to the conditions, you will play your shots,” said Rahane.
Rahane also explained the bonding between players and newly appoionted head cocha of India, Anil Kumble. “He has been handling it really well, and we are really happy to have him as the coach with us, because his experience will take us forward as Indian team,” Rahane concluded.